Honors Theses
Affiliation
College of Engineering (James Worth Bagley), Mechanical Engineering
College
James Worth Bagley College of Engineering
Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Document Type
Immediate Open Access
Abstract
This thesis explores the dynamic behavior of suspension systems using a radio-controlled (RC) vehicle as the study unit. By combining experimental drop testing and the Mississippi State Autonomous Vehicle Simulator (MAVS), the research focuses on determining key suspension parameters, including the spring constant and damping coefficient, which define the stiffness and energy dissipation characteristics of the system. The RC vehicle's suspension system provided a controlled platform for studying these dynamics under both real-world and simulated conditions. Experimental drop testing involved capturing the vehicle's response to impact using an accelerometer, while MAVS simulations modeled a controlled compression and release of the suspension. Displacement data from both methods were analyzed using a damped harmonic oscillator model, with parameters extracted through curve fitting. The study found a strong agreement in spring constant values between the two methods, validating MAVS simulations as a reliable tool for evaluating stiffness. However, damping coefficients exhibited moderate discrepancies due to real-world factors like friction and nonlinear effects, which are less pronounced in simulations. This research underscores the complementary roles of simulation and physical testing in suspension analysis. Simulations enable efficient iterative design, while physical testing captures the complexities of real-world behavior, providing crucial validation for predictive models. The RC vehicle served as an effective study unit for this analysis, demonstrating the broader applicability of the methodologies to other systems, including those in autonomous vehicles.
Date Defended
12-20-2024
Thesis Director
Dr. John Ball
Second Committee Member
Dr. Christopher Goodin
Third Committee Member
Dr. Matthew Peaple
Recommended Citation
Ghannami, Naoufel, "A Systematic Approach to Vehicle Suspension Modeling: Integrating Experimental Testing and Simulation-Based Validation" (2024). Honors Theses. 132.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/honorstheses/132