Virtual 7-Post Rig: A 7 DoF Vehicle Model for Suspensions Parameters Optimization

Vehicle testing is a key factor in motorsport field, always oriented towards maximizing performance. In last decades, testing procedures have evolved, going from classic outdoor tests to indoor test benches capable of stressing the vehicle in different ways, up to complex virtual simulation environments. In this scenario, this work presents a virtual 7-post rig, based on a seven degree of freedom vehicle model developed with a Lagrangian approach, able to reproduce the vertical behaviour of sprung and unsprung masses. This model could represent a valid alternative to the real test bench, allowing a significant reduction in the testing phase time and costs. The model performance has been assessed by means of a comparison with a much more complex simulation environment and from the comparison of the results it is clear that the developed model can be actually used for the evaluation of the optimal conditions of stiffness and damping of the suspension.