Centre for Engineering Dynamics
Engineering Dynamics
Engineering Dynamics is a broad spectrum of research activity. This centre is particularly concerned with Vehicle/Structural Dynamics, Systems Integration, Fault-Tolerant Control and Robust Devices.
If you are interested in a PhD or research collaboration with us then please contact any member or click here.
Current Activities
Vehicle Dynamics
Led by Dr Efstathios Velenis. Our research objective is the encapsulation of expert driver knowledge on vehicle limit handling within a rigorous mathematical framework and the development of passenger vehicle driver assist systems with “expert driving skills”. The research activities include the collection of data during the execution of limit driving techniques by expert race drivers, reproduction of these techniques in simulation and identification of their optimality properties, and the design of control algorithms to stabilise the vehicle during cornering with the tyres operating close to their maximum force capacity. The architecture of a “drifting” controller and the vehicle’s trajectory during stabilisation are shown below.
Rally car simulation
Vehicle Integration
Led by Dr Koen Matthys. Our research objective is to investigate the feasibility, performance potential and constraints of hybrid and electric vehicle technology integration into existing vehicle platforms and contribute to the design, packaging and development of such technologies for new vehicle platforms. Our focus is on concept design and prototyping, with attention to energy management, thermal analysis, electronic control and safety systems, and vehicle dynamics. Our expertise lies in full-electric battery-powered drive train and energy recovery systems and their integration in high-performance road and racing vehicles such as motorcycles and light-weight cars.
BX-11 prototype, an Isle of Man TT full-electric racing motorcycle. Picture taken in Parc Fermé at the 2011 Isle of Man TTZero Race.
Structural Dynamics
Led by Dr Cristinel Mares. Our research objective is the development of models and identification methods for complex and large scale systems, with emphasis on uncertainty and variability analysis. Current projects include helicopter rotor dynamics analysis (test facility shown below), vibration suppression for wind turbines, and development of robust damage detection methods using vibration data and wavelets analysis for structural dynamics applications.
Fault-Tolerant Control of Dynamic Systems
Led by Dr Jie Chen. Our research objective is to develop control strategies which can maintain control system integrity when faults occur in the system. The emphasis is on new design methods for nonlinear systems with modelling uncertainties. The applications include aerospace, environment and automotive systems.
Dynamics of Robust Systems
Led by Dr Mark Atherton. Our research objective is to make physical engineering systems and devices less sensitive to parameter variability, disturbance or unwanted perturbations. Activities include: Optimising the design of vascular stents for desired blood flow characteristics (see figure).
Aneurysm blood flow modelling
Also, the design of Piezoelectric bimorphs for specified audio-haptic frequency response behaviour against geometric and material variability. Anti-noise for dental drilling focusing on the adaptive tracking of unwanted noise for improving patient comfort. Finally, the robustness of complex networks - the influence of redundancy, distribution of functionality and self-organisation for improving the performance of communication networks.
Facilities
Vibration actuation and measurement
Vibration equipment includes a Polytec CLV laser Doppler vibrometer with Clio audio signal generator and processor.
Laser Doppler Vibrometer
Helicopter Rotor
A fully instrumented scale model of a helicopter rotor enables the study of rotor dynamics and aeroelastic response. The rig is capable of enforcing motion at the hub in 3 translations and 2 rotations and can allow the hub to be free-floating. A 6 component balance at the hub base allows the measurement of forces and moments.
Simulation model of Brunel helicopter rig
Test Vehicle
Brunel’s test vehicle is instrumented with a data-logging and sensor suite to correlate the dynamic response of the vehicle to the driver’s inputs during limit handling. The instrumentation includes a twin-antenna GPS receiver providing vehicle speed and sideslip angle, an Inertial Measurement Unit (3 axis accelerations and 3 axis rotation rates), a CAN-bus interface to collect engine RPM, throttle position and 4 wheel speeds signals, steering angle and brake pressure sensors.
Brunel rally test vehicle
Racing Prototypes
Findings from the electric vehicle integration research are currently validated on racing prototypes, built in-house with support from industrial partners. Our eGP motorcycles participate with professional riders in the annual Isle of Man TT road racing event. Contributions are also made to national and international championship races for selected e-racing teams by means of knowledge transfer and bespoke parts design, as developed in our new motorsport lab and workshops at Brunel.
BX-09 prototype, an Isle of Man TT full-electric racing motorcycle, with Triumph development rider Steve Harper. Picture taken at the 2009 Isle of Man TTXGP Race
Projects
Members
Research Leader
- Dr M Atherton (Director)
- Dr J Chen
- Dr C Mares (Deputy Director)
- Dr K Matthys
- Emeritus Professor T Stolarski
- Dr N Ursache
- Dr E Velenis
Visiting Researchers
- Dr Ron Bates (Rolls-Royce Aero)
- Mr Kazuma Yamaguchi (Tokyo University of Science)
PhD Students
- Mr. Emil Gegov
Email: Emil.Gegov@brunel.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1895 265 921 - Mr. Zheng (Vincent) Li
Email: zheng.li@brunel.ac.uk
About
Director
Postal Address
Dr Mark Atherton
Centre for Engineering Dynamics
Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Uxbridge, Middlesex
UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0)1895 266690
Location in University
Centre for Engineering Dynamics
Howell Building
