Abstract:
Part 1 of this paper proposed a methodology for the efficient determination of gradient
information, when optimising a vehicle’s suspension characteristics for ride comfort and handling. The
non-linear full vehicle model, and simplified models for gradient information has been discussed, and
validated.
In this paper, the simplified models presented in Part 1 are used for gradient information simulations.
The convergence histories of the optimisation are compared to those obtained when only the full,
computationally expensive, vehicle model is used. For illustration of the proposed gradient-based
optimisation methodology, up to four design variables are considered in modelling the suspension
characteristics.
The proposed methodology is found to be an efficient alternative for the optimisation of the vehicle’s
suspension characteristics. The undesirable effects associated with noise in the gradient information is
effectively reduced, using the simplified models. Substantial benefits are achieved in terms of computational
time needed to reach a solution.
