Multi-Objective Optimization of the Handling Performances of a Road Vehicle: A Fundamental Study on Tire Selection

Abstract

The optimization of the handling behavior of road vehicles is dealt with in this paper. Both a linear and a nonlinear model have been considered. A number of analytical solutions to the equations of motion have been derived for the linear model. The objective functions (i.e. performance indices) to be optimized for a steering step input maneuver were the sideslip angle gain, the yaw velocity peak response time, the yaw velocity overshoot and the initial yaw acceleration. The front and rear tire cornering stiffness have been considered as the design variables to be optimized. The derived optimal solutions can be used during preliminary design for the definition of the best vehicle handling performance. The tire cornering stiffness of a number of actual road vehicles comply with the corresponding values coming from the optimization process proposed in the paper.