Performance evaluation and multiobjective optimization of passive vehicle suspension systems

The objective of this study is provide an insight into the behavior of passive vehicle suspension systems in order to obtain a better understanding of their performance limits. In this thesis, responses of different one and two degree of freedom vehicle suspension models are derived and analyzed when subjected to random road and aerodynamic inputs. Comparisons of the behaviors of different one degree of freedom models are made when they are subjected to additional aerodynamic force input. Also comparisons of the behavior of different two degree of freedom models are made when subjected to ground input only. A multiobjective optimization method is applied to a two degree of freedom model and it was shown how it is possible to determine suitable set of suspension parameters to obtain a required vehicle response. These results will improve the understanding of the performance of passive vehicle suspensions.