Theory of Ground Vehicles, 5th Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Society’s growing demand for better and safer transportation, environmental protection, and energy conservation has stimulated new interest in the development of the technology for transportation. Transport technology has now become an academic discipline in both graduate and undergraduate programs at an increasing number of engineering schools in North America and elsewhere. While preparing lecture notes for my two courses at Carleton on ground transportation technology, I found that although there was a wealth of information in research reports and in journals of learned societies, there was yet no comprehensive account suitable as a text for university students. I hope this book will fill this gap.

Although this book is intended mainly to introduce senior undergraduate and beginning graduate students to the study of ground vehicles, it should also interest engineers and researchers in the vehicle industry. This book deals with the theory and engineering principles of nonguided ground vehicles, including road, off‐road, and air‐cushion vehicles. Analysis and evaluation of performance characteristics, handling behavior, and ride qualities are covered. The presentation emphasizes the fundamental principles underlying rational development and design of vehicle systems. A unified method of approach to the analysis of the characteristics of various types of ground vehicle is also stressed.

This book consists of eight chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the ...