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

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