Investigating the Influence of Dynamic Parameters Variation on Vehicle Handling and Steerability using a Simplified and a High-fidelity Model

Vehicle stability and handling are among the topics investigated widely in automotive industry. Meanwhile, vehicle lateral dynamic behavior plays a pivotal role in vehicle stability and handling. The present study aims to investigate that how the lateral dynamic response of the vehicle is affected by variation of the parameters and to what extent is that affection. To this end, firstly, the dynamic response of the vehicle to the steering angle is simulated by means of lateral dynamics equations of motion. Then, in two different maneuvers, as the affecting parameters are changed, the dynamic response of the vehicle is evaluated. In the current paper, variation of vehicle mass, moment of inertia, and gravity center are considered. In addition, investigations are performed using two models, i.e., 2 degree-of-freedom bicycle model and a high fidelity model proposed in Carsim software package, in order to identify that how the model selection can affect the outcome. Results indicate that in one of the maneuvers, vehicle response evidently changes by varying the parameters, whereas, in the other maneuver, no significant changes observed.