Vehicle Dynamics
- Colegio Racing Engineering
- Aug 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 4
Division Overview
The Vehicle Dynamics (VD) division defines how the car feels, reacts, and performs on track. From corner entry to braking zones, acceleration, and driver feedback, VD focuses on making the car stable, responsive, predictable, and confidence inspiring. Our division studies how forces transfer through the vehicle during cornering, braking, acceleration, and load changes. Through suspension design, tire behavior analysis, testing, and driver input, VD works to improve the cars grip, balance, handling, and overall performance.
Components
Control arms
Connects the frame to the wheel assembly.
Steering System
Receives the driver input to make the vehicle turn.
Brake System
Ensures driver safety
Must be able to lock all four tires
Wheel Assembly
Consists of the upright, hubs, wheel and tires.
Main function is to connect the tires to the control arms to ensure that the vehicle performs as expected.
Rockers, Springs and Dampers
Receives all the vehicle loads and vibrations to ensure that the ride is smooth.
Requirements
Knowledge of SolidWorks and ANSYS (FEA)
Knowledge of MATLAB (Programming)
Preferences: Experience working with braking, handling, and suspension systems.
Characteristics
Creativity
Integrity
Consistency
Proactivity
Recommended Courses
INGE 4019: Mechanics of Materials
INME 4005: Mechanism Design
INGE 3032: Applied Mechanics Dynamics
INGE 3031: Applied Mechanics Statics
INME 3809: Creative Design I
Division Knowledge Guide
Vehicle Dynamics engineers must be able to identify understeer vs. oversteer. Understeer occurs when the front tires lose grip first, causing the car to push wide; oversteer occurs when the rear tires lose grip, making the car rotate excessively. Corrections can be made by adjusting spring stiffness, anti-roll bars, or aerodynamic balance. Tire wear is a key diagnostic tool: if wear is uneven across the tread, it may indicate improper camber, toe settings, or suspension geometry that needs correction.
If the car bounces uncontrollably on the corner exit, it suggests that damping is inadequate; adjustments to shock absorber settings (rebound or compression) are needed to control oscillations. Understanding tire slip angle is critical: lateral force increases with slip angle up to a point, after which grip falls off. VD also emphasizes the importance of minimizing unsprung mass (wheels, brakes, control arms) to improve tire contact with the road.
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