VEHICLE STRUCTURES AND ANALYSIS - 2022/3
Module code: ENGM267
Module Overview
Fourth year module for Automotive Engineering Master students
Vehicle structures
Starting from the space required for the major vehicle components different vehicle packaging concepts are introduced. Lightweight chassis structures are described and demonstrated with several examples of current vehicles, including aluminium space frame structures and composite monocoque chassis. The influence of the choice of material in terms of chassis stiffness and the design and manufacturing process is discussed.
Vehicle structure analysis
The Simple Structural Surface (SSS) method is described and applied to basic vehicle bodies to analyse structural load paths. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) requirements of lightweight hybrid and electric vehicles are introduced together with relevant analysis methods. Passive safety aspects in terms of crashworthiness and impact resistance are described. Sustainability considerations are explained with life-cycle assessment methodologies.
Product Life Cycle
The concept of product life cycle in automotive engineering will be introduced and the importance of sustainability in vehicle manufacturing will be discussed.
Module provider
Mechanical Engineering Sciences
Module Leader
TAVERNINI Davide (Mech Eng Sci)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 106
Lecture Hours: 11
Tutorial Hours: 9
Laboratory Hours: 2
Captured Content: 22
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module content
Indicative content includes:
Vehicle structures
- Vehicle packaging requirements, constraints and concepts
- Lightweight vehicle structures: space frame and monocoque structures
- Stiffness of structures
- Life cycle assessment
Vehicle structure analysis
- Simple structural surface method
- Fundamental theories of acoustics in automotive applications
- NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) aspects with particular focus on hybrid and electric vehicles
- Crashworthiness, impact resistance and safety implications
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | COURSEWORK 1 | 30 |
| Coursework | COURSEWORK 2 | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
Not applicable
Assessment Strategy
The module will be assessed by two pieces of coursework assignments:
Coursework 1 (30%)
Coursework 2 (70%)
Module aims
- An introduction to chassis design requirements and constraints in terms of packaging and structural behaviour, including crashworthiness and NVH aspects
- An understanding of the basic techniques used for the design of lightweight vehicle structures
- Provide an insight on the current test standards for crashworthiness of road vehicles and vehicle noise.
- An introduction to product life cycle and its assessment adopted in the automotive industry.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and constraints related to lightweight vehicle structures | KT | M4, M5, M6 |
| 002 | Apply mathematical and scientific approaches to analyse simple vehicle structures and appreciate the assumptions and limitations inherent in their application | C | M1, M2, M3, M5, M6 |
| 003 | Understand fundamental theories in NVH for hybrid and electric vehicles | KCT | M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6 |
| 004 | Demonstrate understanding of sustainability principles in the design and manufacture of vehicles | KCT | M4, M6, M7, M8, |
| 005 | Understand fundamental principles on vehicle packaging, vehicle structures and NVH and able to apply the theories to solve practical problems. | KCPT | M1, M2, M3, M5, M6, M13 |
| 006 | Able to describe the procedures for vehicle exhaust and drive-by noise tests according to the ISO standards. | KP | M13 |
| 007 | Able to describe all the crash tests that required to be conducted on new vehicles. | KP | M13 |
| 008 | Demonstrate understanding of product life cycle assessment on automotive engineering | KCP | M7, M8 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Lectures (in-person)
- Tutorials (in-person)
- Computer laboratory (in-person)
- Captured contents, including Panopto recordings for those live in-person lectures
- 95 hours independent studies.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM267
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Engineering MEng | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.