Course detail

Experimental Methods

FSI-QEMAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course "Experimental Methods" introduces students to the procedures and methods used in experimental problem solving in the Automotive and Traffic Engineering program so that they are able to apply them in practice. It explains the basics of modern methods for measuring mechanical quantities and defines the structure of the measurement and control instrumentation chain. Measures kinematic quantities, forces, moments, pressure, temperature and noise.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Josef Štětina, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Automotive Engineering (ÚADI)

Entry knowledge

Basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, mechanics and electrical engineering at the level of a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Conditions for credit: active participation in the exercise, and preparation of measurement protocols. Examination: the examination verifies the acquisition of knowledge acquired in lectures, it is mainly oriented on the application of this knowledge to measurement and instrumentation, the examination is written in the form of a test and the possibility of oral verification of knowledge, up to 50% of the evaluation consists of the classification of measurement protocols.


Attendance at the exercise is mandatory. Absence is solved with the teacher entering a substitute assignment.

Aims

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with measurement methods and approaches to experimental problem solving with a focus on vehicles and their drivetrains (BEV, ICE, HEV). It is essential to obtain a basic idea of the complexity of experimental work and current technical possibilities for their solution.


The graduate of the course will acquire theoretical knowledge and practical experience with experimental work with an emphasis on the use of computers in measuring and processing the experiment is able to simplify problems to choose the solution procedure and to orientate in the selection of appropriate measuring techniques.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

CROCKER, Malcolm J. Handbook of noise and vibration control. Hoboken: Wiley, 2007, xxiv, 1569 s. : il. ISBN 978-0-471-39599-7. (EN)
MCBEATH, Simon. Competition car data logging. 2nd ed. Newbury Park, Calif.: Haynes North America, 2008. ISBN 978-184-4255-658. (EN)
VENKATESHAN, S. P. Mechanical Measurements. 2. London: John Wiley&Sons, 2015. ISBN 978-11-1911-556-4. (EN)

Recommended reading

KUTZ, Myer. Handbook of measurement in science and engineering. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley, 2013. ISBN 978-0-470-40477-5. (EN)
MARTYR, A. J. a M. A. PLINT. Engine Testing Theory and Practice. 3. Oxford: Elsevier, 2007. ISBN 978-0-7506-8439-2. (EN)
MIŠUN, Vojtěch. Vibrace a hluk. Vyd. 2. / v Akademickém nakladatelství CERM 1. vyd. Brno: Akademické nakladatelství CERM, 2005, 177 s. : il. ISBN 80-214-3060-5. (CS)
PAVELEK, Milan a Josef ŠTĚTINA. Experimentální metody v technice prostředí. 3. vyd. Brno: Akademické nakladatelství CERM, 2007, 215 s. ISBN 978-80-214-3426-4. (CS)
TŮMA, Jiří. Vehicle gearbox noise and vibration: measurement, signal analysis, signal processing and noise reduction measures. Chichster: Wiley, 2014, xiv, 243 s. : il. ISBN 978-1-118-35941-9. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-AAE-P Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
  • Programme N-ADI-P Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Josef Štětina, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Basics of the theory of experiment, concepts and methods of work. Prescriptions for measurements. Measurement errors and uncertainties.
  2. Measurement of electrical and non-electrical quantities. Measurement chain. Sensors and their characteristics. Computerised measurement systems. Digitisation, sampling rates. Measuring cards, modules and instruments.
  3. Processing of measurement results.
  4. Measurement of temperatures, pressures, flow and heat fluxes.
  5. Strain gauges, strain gauge signal evaluation methods, application of strain gauges to force and pressure transducers.
  6. Strain gauges, strain gauge signal evaluation methods, application of strain gauges to force and pressure transducers.
  7. Noise, vibration and speed measurements. Acoustic measurements in automotive development.
  8. Identification of noise sources.
  9. Introduction to experimental modal analysis.
  10. On-board measurement issues, Global Positioning System (GPS).
    Driving tests.
  11. Problems of measuring internal combustion engines on engine test benches.
  12. Measurement issues on cylinder test benches, emission measurements.
  13. On-board diagnostics of vehicles, vehicle data networks, On Board Diagnostic, CAN bus based communication.

Laboratory exercise

20 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Josef Štětina, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Measurement of temperatures, pressures, and flow rates on the combustion engine.
  2. Measurement of forces, speed, engine, and chassis dynamometer.
  3. Tensometry 1
  4. Tensometry 2
  5. Modal analysis, FFT.
  6. Analysis of mechanical vibration of powertrain as a function of operating speed.
  7. Acoustic measurements. Measurement of the acoustic power of a noise source.
  8. Driving tests, GPS.
  9. Brake, shock absorber, and geometry measurements.
  10. On-board diagnostics. Datalogging in automotive technology.

Computer-assisted exercise

6 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Josef Štětina, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Laboratory safety, processing of measurement results in MATLAB.
  2. Data processing. Measurement chain.
  3. Evaluation of driving tests.