Scale-model vehicle analysis for the design of a steering controller

A scale-model vehicle is developed that is dynamically similar to a full-size vehicle through application of the Buckingham-Pi theorem. Specifically, the vehicle is modified to match the corresponding Pi groups of the scale-model vehicle and the average of a number of full-size vehicles. The modifications require the mass of the vehicle and its distribution to be changed. Furthermore, an experimental apparatus is designed and built to measure the cornering stiffness of scale-model tires. Experimental data for the vehicle is compared to data for a number of full-size vehicles.