Finding Center of Gravity
Finding Center of Gravity
(OP)
Physics questions
Can anbody give me a formula by which to find a car's center of gravity?
Also a formula to calculate lateral grip? I know this one depends in part on tires, but I would be happy with an approximate figure.
A web site where I can go for all such math problems would be best of all (center of gravity, lateral grip, braking distance, ramp angles, etc.)
Thanks much
Can anbody give me a formula by which to find a car's center of gravity?
Also a formula to calculate lateral grip? I know this one depends in part on tires, but I would be happy with an approximate figure.
A web site where I can go for all such math problems would be best of all (center of gravity, lateral grip, braking distance, ramp angles, etc.)
Thanks much





RE: Finding Center of Gravity
I do it for race cars by working out the effect of every single component in the car and adding it up. I don't think that will work for you.
Heightwise (which I suspect is what you are after) it's about 500 mm off the ground for a small car, a little more for a big one.
Lengthwise you just need to consider the axle weights, statics then gives it to you.
Lateral grip is 0.7 g for bad cars on bad tyres, 0.9 g for good cars on good tyres and what 1.1 g ??? for well set up street cars on sticky tyres.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Finding Center of Gravity
I was after height, I should have specified that.
A friend was telling me about a process for figuring the weight of the car at regular distances along it's length, and converting that data into a line graph, then finding the center of each basic shape inside the graph. He finally said he would simply loan me his book on statics.
I can see some of the work you guys go through, and I have to give you credit for having more patience than me!
Thanks again.
RE: Finding Center of Gravity
-----------------------------------M
------------------------------------\-----------------Q'
-------------------------------------\------------------\
--------------------------------------M-----------------\
--------------------------\--------c--|---------------h--\
----------------------ang X----------|-------------------\
O------------------------------------C---------------------Q
[--------------------- a ------------]
[----------------------------------- b --------------------]
b = wheelbase or track O-Q from axel to axel
a = length to center of gravity O-C when level
X = angle of tilt ang QOQ'
h = height of tilt vertically at Q'
c = height of center of gravity above the axel line
M = total weight
W = weight at O
1. W = M (b-a)/b = M (1-a/b)
when tilted through angle X, Q is raised by h and more weight is transfered to O
increasing W to W'
2. b' = b CosX
3. a' = a CosX - c SinX
substitute 2 & 3 in 1
4. W' = M (1 - (aCosX - cSinX)/bCosX) = M( 1 - a/b + (cTanX)/b)
rearranging 1 gives
5. a = b(1-W/M)
substitute in 4 gives
6. W' = M( 1 - b(1-W/M)/b + (cTanX)/b = M( W/M + (cTanX)/b)
solving for c
7. c = (W'/M - W/M) b/TanX =
8. bCotX (W' - W)/M =
9. b^2(W'-W)/hM
To get the center of gravity above ground add the axel height above ground to c.
RE: Finding Center of Gravity
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Finding Center of Gravity
http://www.auto-ware.com/software/ccw/ccw.htm