Dynamic Simulation of Suspension Mechanisms Using the Displacement Matrix Method

The use of the displacement matrix method in the dynamic analysis of suspension mechanisms is discussed and then demonstrated by simulating the dynamic motion of a McPherson suspension acting under a sinusoidal road force. The method of reduced systems in dynamic analysis is extended to include spatial mechanisms connected by spring and damping elements. The numerical example provides the position, velocity and acceleration of the wheel hub of the suspension along with all reaction forces, and is intended to be a problem for comparison, or for further study, using other methods in dynamic analysis.