Modeling, simulation and development of a web-based graphical user interface for the response of dynamic systems

A course in system dynamics that deals with mathematical modeling and response analysis of dynamic systems is required in most mechanical and other engineering curricula. It is not uncommon to find the students perplexed and confused with fundamental concepts such as frequencies and damping, and with advanced topics such as vibration absorbers and multiple degrees of freedom systems, etc. In order to help the students further explore these concepts and topics, a web-based multilayered graphical user interface is developed to find the time response of second order systems from a variety of different input conditions and initial conditions. The Graphical User Interface presents data in a form so that students can immediately see the effects of changing system parameters as they relate to frequencies, damping, and response characteristics. A two-tier architecture (client-server architecture) is implemented for the deployment of MATLAB functions on the web. MATLAB Builder JA has been used in order to achieve this.;This study also includes design of a feedback controller called notch filter for an active suspension system. It shows how the performance of the suspension system could be greatly improved by using active suspension system with adaptive feedback control technique. Root Locus approach has been used to achieve the same. In active suspension systems, sensors are used to measure the accelerations of sprung mass and unsprung mass and the analog signals from the sensors are sent to a controller. The controller is designed to take necessary actions to improve the performance abilities already set. The controller amplifies the signals fed to the actuator to generate the required forces to form a closed loop system (active suspension system). The performance of this system is then compared with that of the open loop system (passive suspension system). A quarter vehicle suspension model with two degrees of freedom system consisting of one sprung mass and one un-sprung mass was considered for simplicity of the analysis. MATLAB/SIMULINK is used to simulate the ride characteristics of the vehicle suspension. Effect of variation of design parameters such as stiffness, damping constant on the performance of suspension i.e. in turn on the ride characteristics of the vehicle, is also studied.