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Fig. 1 Summation of moments of parts weights around any point is equal to the moment of the summation of weights
around this point. W. XCG = (W1.X1+ W2. X2 + W3. X3 + W4. X4 + W5. X5 + ……..)
XCG = Σ (W.X) / Σ (W), where Xi is the distance in x direction between the point i and that point.
Fig.2 Increasing the height of the CG or decreasing the width of the car track will cause the car to topple.
The center of mass height, relative to the wheelbase, determines load transfer between front and rear. The car's
momentum acts at its center of mass to tilt the car forward or backward, respectively during braking and
acceleration. Since it is only the downward force that changes and not the location of the center of mass, the
effect on over/under steer is opposite to that of an actual change in the center of mass.
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A lower center of mass is a principal performance advantage of sports cars, compared to sedans and (especially)
SUVs. Some cars have body panels made of lightweight materials partly for this reason.
Obtaining the position of the car CG:
A vehicle is not symmetrical in shape or mass from front to rear. Most vehicles are symmetrical left to right in
shape but not in mass, especially front wheel drive vehicles.
Fig. 2 Weight (W), Reac on (R) Fig. 3 The CG loca on in the side and front view
Fig. 4 Measure the front and rear axle weights (Wf ,Wr), and the wheel base length (L)
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Fig. 5 The car on a level surface, L is the wheel base, the front and rear axles wights (Wf, Wr) and (a and b are unknown
longitudinal distances of the CG)
*Measure the wheel base, L (the distance between the center of the front and rear wheels), Fig. 3
L = a +b ……………………………………………….(1)
a = L – b ……………………………………………….(2)
Σ Fy = 0
* Measure the car front axle weight Wf = Rf, and the car rear axle weight Wr = Rr, Fig. 3.
Rf L – W b = 0
Rf L= W b, then
b = L (Rf/W) ………………………………….…………(5)
* In Eq. 5, the units of Rf and W can be expressed in unit force (N, lb) or unit mass (kg), the units of L and b can
be expressed in (m, cm, mm, or ft, in).
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Fig.6 Measure the rear axle weight (Wr1) and the distance of front raise (H)
Fig. 7 The front wheels are raised up a small distance H (h1), r is the wheel radius, (h is the unknown distance of the CG
height)
Using Fig. 7:
Σ Fy = 0
Rf1 + Rr1 – W = 0
Σ MA = 0
Rf 1 (L cos θ) - W (AB) = 0
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where:
θ = sin-1 (H/L)
(h-r) is the distance of CG above the axle plane, Eq. (7)
h is the distance of CG above the ground, Eq. (8)
* In Eq. 8, the units of Rf1 and W both can be expressed in unit force (N, lb) or unit mass (kg), the units of b, L,
r and h can be expressed in (m, cm, mm, or ft, in).
An Excel program to Obtaining the center of gravity location (a,b, and h)
W.(x) – RL . (T) = 0
x = (RL/W) T,
y=T–x
Most cars except the front wheel drive are symmetric in weight distribution in the front view (RR = RL). So that
the CG position will be in the middle (x = y = T/2). In most cars it is a fair approximation to assume that.
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Worked example:
A vehicle having a mass of 2000 kg and a wheelbase of 2.44 m, the car center of gravity lies1.52 m from the rear
axle. The front end of the vehicle is lifted 35 cm and gives a mass reading of 1150 kg. The wheel radius is 30.5
cm. Determine the height of the CG.
Required
h
Given:
m = 2000 kg
L = 2.44 m
b = 1.52 m
H = 35 cm
Rf1 = 1150 kg
r = 30.5 cm
Answer:
Source: thecartech@yahoo.com
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