Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| MECH2610 | Engineering Mechanics |
| MECH2620 | Vibration and Control |
| MECH3225 | Biomedical Engineering Design |
| MECH3465 | Robotics and Machine Intelligence |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module develops an understanding of the principles of vehicle modelling, tyre behaviour and tyre-ground forces. You’ll also critically address the acceleration behaviour of a road vehicle, braking system characteristics and vehicle handling behaviour relating to the vehicle design process.
The module seeks to establish a good understanding of the fundamentals of vehicle handling behaviour, vehicle modelling and the process of vehicle design. Through coursework and other assessments, students will have the opportunity to critically analyse how powertrain and braking system characteristics determine the acceleration and deceleration behaviours.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering science required to model the performance of a road vehicle including tyre-ground interaction.
2. Describe the main powertrain elements and their characteristics.
3. Analyse traction and power limited performance including an evaluation of fuel economy.
4. Describe the main brake system elements and their characteristics.
5. Assess brake system performance employing the concepts of brake proportioning and adhesion utilisation along current legislative guidelines for passenger vehicles.
6. Construct a simple handling model from first principles and use this to explore the steady state cornering behaviour, straight line stability and transient response of a 2-axle road vehicle.
7. Describe the main design influences on handlin
Skills learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will be able to demonstrate skills in:
a. Information technology
b. Personal management
c. Critical thinking
d. Active learning
e. Systems thinking
f. Integrated problem solving
g. Communication of information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms, whilst demonstrating understanding of levels of ambiguity and uncertainty
1 Vehicle mechanics:
- Modelling philosophy and coordinate systems
- Road surfaces and tyre-ground interaction
- Axle loads.
2 Acceleration behaviour:
- Powertrain elements and their characteristics
- Traction and power limited performance
- Fuel economy.
3 Deceleration behaviour:
- Brake system components and their characteristics
- Brake proportioning, efficiency and adhesion utilisation
- Governing standards and legislation.
4 Handling behaviour:
- Handling performance criteria
- The mathematical modelling of vehicle handling, straight line stability and cornering behaviour
- Practical suspension system design for handling and the trade-off with ride.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 44 | 1 | 44 |
| Private study hours | 156 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students receive feedback halfway through and at the end of semester 1 from the results of the two in-class MCQ tests. They can also obtain feedback on their understanding of key material through the example sheets and assignment. An online discussion board will be monitored during specified times each week. Minerva/TopHat tests.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team