Vehicle Dynamics II: Cornering - IFAS

Course Summary

In this second part of Vehicle Dynamics, we will illuminate the lateral dynamic aspects of vehicles.


Clear and brief: the cornering of a car.


In Detail: We will start with a simple single-track model and then describe the slip angle of a wheel. The slip angle results in cornering forces, which are essential for understanding lateral dynamics. After that, we will look at the dependency between longitudinal and lateral forces using Kamm’s circle and Krempel’s diagram. Then we will investigate steady state cornering, stability and the influence of different weight distributions between inner and outer side wheels of the car. The course will finish with two applications from automotive mechatronics.

What will I learn?

At the end of the course you will …

• understand basic principles of cornering of a car.

• know slip angle and cornering forces.

• understand the single track model.

• understand the steady state cornering, stability and the influence of different weight distribution between inner and outer side of the car.

• be able to calculate simple properties of a car.

What do I have to know?

Some basic understanding of the following subjects will help you successfully participate in this course:


Algebra; Trigonometric Functions; Differential Calculus; Linear Algebra; Vectors; Coordinate Systems; Force, Torque, Equilibrium; Mass, Center of Gravity, Moment of Inertia; Method of Sections, Friction, Newton's Law, (Lagrange's Equation)

Course structure

This course has a total of 10 chapters, and the topics for each chapter are the following:

Chapter 1: Preliminaries

Chapter 2: Single-Track Model

Chapter 3: Tyre side slip

Chapter 4: Steady state cornering

Chapter 5: Solution of linear single track model

Chapter 6: Stability and step steer

Chapter 7: Wheelload transfer

Chapter 8: Suspension systems

Chapter 9: Active lateral systems

Chapter 10: Solutions Homework: Part 1

Chapter 11: Solutions Homework: Part 2