Online Learning Programmes

Short course/CPD

Online Learning - Principles of Vehicle Dynamics

Course date: 05 Mar 2012 - 28 May 2012

Course overview

The Principles of Vehicle Dynamics course is an innovative online course. It is aimed at those working with engineers, including technicians, graduate engineers and non-engineering professionals across the defence, aerospace, naval and land sectors.

Learning Outcomes

To describe the basic physical performance and dynamic characteristics of a land/sea/air vehicle.
To understand the potential consequences of gross and detail changes.
To be able to understand the influence of the physical environment on the performance and dynamics of the vehicle.

Course is scheduled twice a year in March and September (minimum number of delegates apply).

Duration - approximately over 16-17 weeks (average time spent 5 hours per week)

Location

Delivered entirely online. Accessible worldwide (subject to internet availability)

Course fee:

£1250 - Standard. (Apply 20% discount for Cranfield alumni, 10% discount for colleagues of alumni)
£1125 - Professional/Trade association discount
£1135 - Multiple bookings*

*Minimum of five delegates.

How to register

To request a place on this course, please complete the online Registration Form.

If you have any queries please contact:

Academic Operations Unit.

Cranfield University
Cranfield
Bedfordshire
MK43 0AL, UK

T: +44 (0) 1234 754176
E: shortcourse@cranfield.ac.uk
F: +44 (0) 1234 751206

Please be aware that short courses/CPD are subject to:

Booking Conditions

Course description

The course comprises five sections and a number of study units delivered as an audio-visual presentation, discussion questions and five assessed assignments. These provide the ‘tools’ required for the group project. The Group project involves working together in teams on a realistic project to fulfil demanding objectives within a tight time schedule and delivering results to a high professional standard.

Key Learning Points

Section 1 Fundamental dynamics
• To be able to understand and use the fundamental classical dynamics to deal with vehicle dynamical problems.
• To understand the basic characteristics of vehicle structures, configurations
• Terms and definitions of classical dynamic systems
• To understand how to learn high level knowledge to deal with vehicle dynamics in a more complex environment
• Able to choose a suitable mechanical model to describe different problems

Section 2 Point Mass and Rigid Body Dynamics
• Principles of 1– and 2– degree of freedom mass-point systems
• Principles of rigid body dynamics, including rotation & translation

Section 3 Loads and Operational Environment
• Origin of fluid dynamics forces
• Characterise fluid dynamics loading and be familiar with changes in fluid characteristics
• Recognise implications of perturbations in the operational environment

Section 4 Vehicle Response and control
• How mass and stiffness distribution affects natural frequency & modes
• Use mode superposition methods to perform dynamics response calculations
• Assess static and dynamic stability of vehicles

Section 5 Vehicle Dynamics & Design
• Understand key aspects of vehicle design from a dynamics perspective
• Appreciate which methods are applicable at various stages of design