Week 1: Project Introduction
March 4, 2026
Suspension geometry is one of the most critical variables in vehicle dynamics, yet its effects are difficult to isolate in full-scale testing due to the interference of driver input, weight distribution, and safety constraints. This project addresses that problem by applying the engineering principle of Similitude: using a precisely scaled model to investigate mechanical behavior that would otherwise be impractical or dangerous to study directly. I am examining how two fundamentally different suspension architectures, the Double Wishbone and the Trailing Arm, influence lateral stability and traction across two distinct surface conditions: asphalt and gravel.
My motivation for this project comes from a long-standing interest in mechanical engineering and automotive design. Having studied physics and worked in robotics, I recognized that a 1:10 scale RC chassis offers a legitimate and controllable platform for real engineering analysis. The central question this project seeks to answer is: How do Double Wishbone and Trailing Arm suspension geometries comparatively affect the lateral stability and tire-contact consistency of a 1:10 scale vehicle on standardized gravel and asphalt terrains?
I hypothesize that the Double Wishbone system will demonstrate superior performance on asphalt due to its more precise camber control during cornering, resulting in greater tire-contact patch consistency and lower lateral acceleration variance. However, I predict the Trailing Arm system will prove more competitive or even superior on gravel, where its longitudinal compliance and simpler geometry better absorb irregular surface impacts. Ultimately, I expect the data to show that no single suspension design is universally optimal, and that terrain type is a decisive factor in determining mechanical efficiency.
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Hi Junren,
This project sounds fun! I like that you took your passion for cars and turned it into research! I do have one question however. What kind of sensors will you use/what data will you collect during the tests, and how will you use that data to draw your conclusion?
Hello Junren,
This project looks really interesting! Suspension geometries are really complex and it seems like you have a good understanding of how they can affect handling performance across terrains.
Although your project is independent from human drivers, I’m curious to know whether your methods of testing these geometries can provide valuable feedback for engineers designing suspension for racing series.
Hi Junren, that’s a cool idea! I was wondering how you would account for the fact that at 1:10 scale, the ratio of surface irregularity size to the size of the wheelbase is much larger than normal (like gravel, which is usually pebble-sized, might now act like a boulder).
Really interesting project, Junren! The Similitude framing is a clever way to justify the RC platform; it sidesteps the obvious “why not a real car” critique pretty effectively. Your hypothesis about Trailing Arm performing better on gravel also makes intuitive sense given how rally suspension is designed. One thing I’m curious about is whether tire compound consistency across runs could introduce noise into your lateral acceleration data and how one would control for that. Excited to follow the results!