Units
Motor Racing Vehicle Design
Unit code: ENB315
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
After studying Fundamentals of Mechanical Design and Design of Machine Elements, in this unit you will study design of different systems of motor racing vehicles. This will accomplish systematic study of Mechanical Design and will enable you to carry out design of race vehicles and prepare them for a competition. Attention will be paid to styling and ergonomics as well as construction methods used in building race vehicles.
The topics covered include: Introduction. Concept development of a race vehicle. Tyre selection. Suspension geometry, components and alignment. Brakes. Race car handling. Engine and engine tuning. Drive train (gearing and differentials). Frame and body. External and internal aerodynamics of a race vehicle. Driver compartment (fitting and comfort). Testing and preparation for a competition. Safety in motor racing (accident avoidance and driver protection).
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
After studying Fundamentals of Mechanical Design and Design of Machine Elements, in this unit you will study the design of different systems of motor racing vehicles. This will extend your systematic study of mechanical design and will enable you to design race vehicles and prepare them for competition.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to enable you to design race vehicles, to optimise their systems, and to develop your understanding of construction methods used in building race vehicles, as well as techniques used in preparation of the race car for a competition.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Design systems of race vehicles.
2. Demonstrate principles and methods of race vehicle testing and preparation for competition.
3. Apply construction and safety principles used in motor racing industry.
4. Work with a team to write report on specific issues of race vehicle design.
Content
1. Concept development of a race vehicle.
2. Tyre selection.
3. Suspension geometry, components and alignment.
4. Brakes.
5. Race car handling.
6. Engine and engine tuning.
7. Drive train (gearing and differentials).
8. Frame and body.
9. External and internal aerodynamics of a race vehicle.
10. Driver compartment (fitting and comfort).
11. Testing and preparation for a competition.
12. Safety in motor racing (accident avoidance and driver protection).
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Hours per week: 4
Lecture: 2
Tutorial/Lab sessions: 2
Formal lecture sessions will cover the theory and illustrate some practical applications of race car design. Additional learning will be achieved by reading the course notes and reference material.
Tutorial exercises will be set to test and develop your understanding of racing car design and selected work handed in and audited to check your progress. Worked solutions will be made available progressively during tutorials and on the Blackboard site. Individual exercises will be combined with group ones. Lectures and tutorials will be complemented with practical laboratory sessions in the Design Laboratory and QUT Motorsport workshop where you will complete hands-on procedures related to tuning the race car and preparing it for competition.
Assessments will simulate real design problems and often will require communication with other students in tutorial and practical sessions. This will give you the opportunity to practice and reflect on problem solving and lab reports. Assessments are designed to build understanding of concepts and techniques and to develop skills in definition and solution of real design problems. An essential part of the unit is your participation in the QUT Motorsport team. Knowledge acquired in this unit will be put to practical application through the design of a Formula - A race vehicle.
Assessment
Assessment includes a range of practical problem solving design tasks, lab reports and a final examination. These assessments are designed to facilitate the development of your professional capabilities including individual and team work, as well as self-study through race vehicle design.You will receive ongoing feedback throughout the semester through peer, team and tutor discussions in and outside class. You will also have the opportunity to receive feedback through written comments on your design solutions and project report. Oral feedback will be given after marking of each assessment with analysis of typical errors.
Assessment name:
Problem Solving Task
Description:
From a set of individual initial data you will carry out design calculations and suggest a conceptual design solution for a race car radiator.
Relates to objectives:
1. Design systems of race vehicles.
3. Apply construction and safety principles used in motor racing industry.
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 10
Assessment name:
Laboratory/Practical
Description:
Conduct lab practicals and prepare reports on friction properties and wear patterns of tyres, bending and torsional chassis stiffness, developing driver's compartment layout, race car systems measurements using different instrumentation. Laboratory reports must be submitted as required by the lecturer.
Relates to objectives:
1. Design systems of race vehicles.
2. Demonstrate principles and methods of race vehicle testing and preparation for competition.
3. Apply construction and safety principles used in motor racing industry.
4. Work with a team to write report on specific issues of race vehicle design.
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group with Individual Component
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
Examination is a mixture of problem solving and computational techniques including how race car systems work, why particular design and technological decisions are made, and how to prepare a race vehicle for competition.
Relates to objectives:
1. Design systems of race vehicles.
2. Demonstrate principles and methods of race vehicle testing and preparation for competition.
3. Apply construction and safety principles used in motor racing industry.
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Examination period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Type: Course notes
Authors: Assoc. Prof. Vladis Kosse (Available from the Blackboard site for ENB316 unit).
Dr. Dennis DePellegrin (Available from the Blackboard site for ENB316 unit).
Type: Tutorial handouts
Authors: Assoc. Prof. Vladis Kosse (Available from the Blackboard site for ENB316 unit).
Dr. Dennis DePellegrin (Available from the Blackboard site for ENB316 unit).
Type: Laboratory manuals and instructions
Authors: Assoc. Prof. Vladis Kosse (Available from the Blackboard site for ENB316 unit).
Dr. Dennis DePellegrin (Available from the Blackboard site for ENB316 unit)
Australian Design standards (Available online from QUT library).
Risk assessment statement
You will undertake lectures and tutorials in traditional classrooms, and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.
The lab sessions will be carried out in the Design Laboratory, QUT Motorsport workshop and Thermodynamics laboratory where enclosed foot ware is required (students provide themselves) and in some cases hearing and eye protection that will be provided when necessary.
You will undergo a health and safety induction before the commencement of the academic year and will be issued with a safety induction card. If you do not have a safety induction card you will be denied access to laboratories.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 22-Oct-2012
