prins@svax.cs.cornell.edu (Jan Prins) (02/25/86)
A friend and I are looking for quantitative treatments of automotive physics. We're particularly looking for analyses of suspension, chassis and tire adhesion. We would like to build mathematical models of automotive performance and need accounts of the very specialized physics involved. As an example, the time-to-speed and time-to-distance curves for a car can be calculated from the full-power torque curve of the motor, the gearing and efficiency of the transmission and final drive, the coefficient of drag times frontal area, the mass of the car plus payload and the rolling radius of the tires. The calculated figures are not exact predictors of actual performance (although they can be very close) but provide a consistent model on which to evaluate changes. With more understanding of tire and suspension dynamics we might be able to estimate skidpad and braking performance or predict wheelspin. The university library holdings concentrate on automobile safety and engine pollution/efficiency. But judging from postings in this newsgroup, there is some interest and expertise in the formal treatment of performance. If you have any pointers or references to the literature, please mail them to me. I will collect them and post the aggregate in three weeks for others interested. Jan Prins [ARPA] prins@cornell Dept. of Comp. Sci. or prins@svax.cs.cornell.edu Upson Hall [uucp] {vax135,ihnp4}!cornell!prins Cornell University [Csnet] prins@cornell Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 [Bitnet] prins@CRNLCS
phil@amdcad.UUCP (Phil Ngai) (03/02/86)
"Racing Car Design and Development", by Terry and Baker, reads almost like an autobiography in places but is worth reading. "The Sports Car, its design and performance", by Colin Campbell, is probably more what you are looking for. Lots of good technical details. I had heard Campbell also wrote a book called "New directions in suspension design" but never found it. All these books are published by Robert Bentley, Inc, Cambridge, MA. Any other suggestions? -- The Hyundai is faster than speeding molasses! Phil Ngai +1 408 749 5720 UUCP: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra}!amdcad!phil ARPA: amdcad!phil@decwrl.dec.com