Hi, hope someone can help. I need to find the centre of gravity of a car (x,y and Z).

I
know the length of the car (108 inch) the distance between the axils and the height of the
car (1.515m) I also no the loading on the fronat axil and the rear axil and the total mass
of the car is (400 kg). Any suggestions?

Avinash Jha

Ok, now once you have the actual forces, do a moment calculation about the centre
of mass. ie Load on front axle*distance from front axle to cm=load on rear
axle*distance from rear axle to cm. Here you have two unknowns and one
equation, so you need another equation: you know that distance from front axle to
cm + distance from rear axle to cm = distance between axles. Solve
simulataneously and voila, cm position in terms of front or rear axle. It is true that
there is not enough info to calculate the z co-ordinate of your cm, actually, you can
only calculate the x co-ordinate (and the y co-ordinate, if you assume symmetry
about the z axis.)
Center of Gravity (CG) is defined as that point about which, if the body were
suspended from it, all parts of the body would have equilibrium ..i.e.. without
tendency to rotate. it is the 3D balance point of the race car. all acceleration forces
acting on a body can be considered to act through the CG of that body..we have the
cg to be as low as we can get it.

Mass Centroid- is related to Cg ..sort of...ifin we slice the car into a series of
sections, like a loaf of bread, each slice would have its own CG...if, in a side view,
we draw a line connecting each sliced CG..we have the Mass Centroid Axis..not
really a straight line but close to it.
it gives an indication of the distribution of the vehicles mass in the vertical plane.

Roll Center of the suspension is that point , in the traverse plane of the axles, about
which sprung mass of that tend of the vehicle will roll under influence of centrifugal
force. It is determined by drawing a line from the tire contact patch to a point in
space that is the intersection of the upper and lower suspension arm linkage
angles.

The CG and RC are located at different points. Usully the CG is many inches above
the RC. CG can be change by moving " weight " around on the chassis.. The RC is
changed by modifying how the upper and lower control arms mount to the chassis.
Correct changes will improve the weight transfer to the rear tires thus improving
traction.
lot of other stuff goin on here.. race car math of some is on my post in General
Physics post " Race Car Physics" 31 Dec 2008

Finding the center of gravity height can be done in several ways, none of which are
accomplished very easily and without some work. Presented here is the easiest
method. The center of gravity height is calculated by weighing the car when level
and then raising the car at least 10 inches at the rear and weighing the front again.
Replace each shock absorber with a solid link to eliminate suspension travel

You need a set of electronic scales. You also need a set of blocks o eight inches tall.
10 inch is better.

First, weigh the car normally, then record the total weight (T) and the total number
of pounds on the front tires-nose weight (N).

Jack up the rear of the car..CAREFULLY!! Then carefully place the blocks under the
rear scales (you may find it useful to lock your rear axle). Now record your new
nose weight (NI). Next, subtract your original nose weight (N) from your new, lifted
nose weight (NI) and you will have the difference (Nd).
Figure it out using your calculator…

a. Multiply the nose difference (Nd) x 1660= (A)

b. Multiply the total weight (T) x 8 (the height of the blocks)=(B)

c. Divide your previous numbers, A by B, and this equals (C)

d. Add this number, C, to your axle centerline height or spindle center, and the
number you obtain is your vertical center of gravity.

CGH= WB x FWc / TW x Tan of angle

Center of Gravity Height Formula

Definition of Variables

CGH - Center of Gravity Height

WB - Wheelbase (inches)
TW - Total weight
FW1 - Front weight LEVEL
FW2 - Front weight RAISED
FWc - FW2 - FW1 (change in weights)
HT - Height raised (inches)
Adj - Adjacent side (see below)
Tan q - Tangent of angle (see below)
CLF - Left Front tire circumference
CRF - Right Front tire circumference
C - (CLF + CRF) / 2 (average circumference)
r - Axle Height
 CENTER OF GRAVITY HEIGHT

Finding the center of gravity height can be done in several ways, none of which are
accomplished very easily and without some work. Presented here is the easiest method. The
center of gravity height is calculated by weighing the car when level and then raising the car
at least 10 inches at the rear and weighing the front again. Enter the data into the
program below to calculate your center of gravity height.

Before you begin:

• Be sure that all fluids are full

• Replace each shock absorber with a solid link to eliminate suspension travel

• Make sure the tires are inflated to the maximum pressure as specified by the
manufacturer to eliminate any sidewall flex

Note: If these steps are not taken, the calculations will be inaccurate

Definition of Variables
Center of Gravity Height Formula

• CGH - Center of Gravity Height

• WB - Wheelbase (inches)

• TW - Total weight

Related Formulas
• FW1 - Front weight LEVEL

• FW2 - Front weight RAISED

• FWc - FW2 - FW1 (change in weights)

• HT - Height raised (inches)

• Adj - Adjacent side (see below)

• Tan θ − Tangent of angle (see below)

• CLF - Left Front tire circumference

• CRF - Right Front tire circumference

• C - (CLF + CRF) / 2 (average circumference)

• r - Axle Height

This program is used to calculate center of gravity height. Enter the data in the boxes
below, then click the "Calculate" button.

Wheelbase (inches)
 Total Weight (lbs)

Front Wheel Weight - Level (lbs )

Front Wheel Weight - Raised (lbs )

Raised Height (inches)

Left Front Tire Size (circumference in inches)

Right Front Tire Size (circumference in inches)

Center of Gravity Height from Axle Height

Center of Gravity Height from Ground

How does all this work?

The center of gravity height is found using the rules
of trigonometry and right triangles. Specifically, we
are using the Law of Tangents, and the Pythagorean
Theorem. The following diagrams are greatly
exaggerated for illustration purposes.
Tan θ = opposite / adjacent

Figure 1
Pythagorean Theorem

So, in our exercise, when we raise the car 10" we

are creating a right triangle with the following
properties:
• Hypotenuse = Wheelbase = c
• Opposite = Height = b
• Adjacent = a
Figure 2
Therefore using the Pythagorean Theorem:
Once we know the value of the adjacent side of our
triangle we solve for the tangent of θ using:

Figure 3
Ok, now that we know the tangent of the angle we can calculate the center of gravity height based
on our weight measurements using the following formula:

• WB is the wheelbase
• FWc is the change in front wheel weights
• TW is the total weight
• Tan θ is the tangent calculated above
This calculates the Center of Gravity Height from the axle height.
To find the CGH from the ground, you must add your axle height to the above calculation. You can
measure your axle height or calculate it using the average of your two front tire sizes and the
formula for the circumference of a circle.

• C is the average circumference found by adding the LF and RF sizes and dividing by 2.
• π approximately equals 3.1416
• r is your axle height
For example: Your LF is 85.5" and your RF is 87". Your average circumference is (85.5 + 87) / 2 =
86.25". Your axle height is (86.25 / 2) / 3.1416 = 13.727". Add this number to the CGH to find the
center of gravity height in relation to the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to raise the car and re-weigh it to find Center of Gravity?

We are not just looking for the center of gravity (CG), but the center of gravity height (CGH).
The true center of gravity is actually a 3 dimensional point in space. You need to know the CG
along the wheelbase, the CG for the track width of the car, and the CGH. Where these 3
coordinates intersect in space is the actual center of gravity. The following formulas will calculate
the Wheelbase CG (CGwb) and the Track Width CG (CGtrw).
 Definition of Variables
• CGwb - Center of Gravity from behind the
front wheels
• CGtrw - Center of Gravity from left side of
track width
• RW - Total Rear Weight
• TW - Total Weight
• WB - Wheelbase (in inches)
• RtW - Total Right Side Weight
• TrW - Track Width (in inches)

Why do I have to raise the car a minimum of 10"?

The Center of Gravity Height calculation is based on the change in the front wheel weights in
relation to the angle at which the car is raised. The higher you can raise the rear of the car (higher
angle), the greater the weight shift will be, thus creating a greater change in front wheel weights.
The more change in the weights that you can create, the more accurate the measurement will be.
Ideally, you would want the raise the car at least 20", however, this can be very difficult to do. The
minimum of 10" creates just enough weight change to get a relatively accurate result.

inding the Center of Gravity (CG)

~Method 1~
Here is the procedure for mesuring the weight distribution of the vehicle to locate the
position of the Center of Gravity (CG):

This first method is for people who have access to 4-wheel scales.
Method 1:
1. For best results the car should be "race ready" with Fuel, Driver, N2O bottles, Proper air
pressures, etc.
2. Take a measurement of the front and rear weights. (No need to measure the total weight
of the car for these calculations).
3. Measure the wheel base. I measure from the Front Edge of the Front rim to the Front
Edge of the Rear rim.

Example:
Weight of front end: 2000lbs
Weight of rear end: 1800lbs
Wheel Base: 105"

2000 + 1800 = 3800lbs (This may not be the same as the measured vehicle weight because
of unlevel ground or scale accuracy, etc)

2000 / 3800 = .526 ~ Front end distribution = 53%

1800 / 3800 = .473 ~ Rear end distribution = 47%

05" x .53 = 55.65" The Center of Gravity is located 55.65" in front of the rear axle.
OR
105" x .47 = 49.35" The Center of Gravity is located 49.35" behind the front axle.

*Both of the above measurements locate the CG in the same place.

This second method is for people who do not have access to a 4-wheel scale.

~Method 2~
Method 2:
1. For best results the car should be "race ready" with Fuel, Driver, N2O bottles, Proper air
pressures, etc.
2. If you do not have access to a 4-wheel scale then you can use a drive-on scale like at the
race track, a farmers COOP, Truck stops, etc. The scale needs to be level/flat with the
ground.
3. Make a mark with a piece of tape (or chalk or ??) somewhere on the drivers side rocker
panel. This doesn't have to be exactly in the middle just somewhere in the middle.
4. Drive the car onto the the scale so the tape is on the edge of the scale. Only the front tires
will be on the scale. The rear tires will be OFF the scale.
5. Take a mesurment of the weight.
6. Now drive off the scale until the tape is aligned with the back edge of the scale. Only the
rear tires will be on the scale. The front tires will be OFF the scale.
7. Take a measurement of the weight.
8. Measure the wheel base. I measure from the Front Edge of the Front rim to the Front
Edge of the Rear rim.

Example:
Weight of front end: 2000lbs
Weight of rear end: 1800lbs
Wheel Base: 105"

2000 + 1800 = 3800lbs (This may not be the same as the measured vehicle weight because
of unlevel ground or scale accuracy, etc)

2000 / 3800 = .526 ~ Front end distribution = 53%

1800 / 3800 = .473 ~ Rear end distribution = 47%

105" x .53 = 55.65" The Center of Gravity is located 55.65" in front of the rear axle.
OR
105" x .47 = 49.35" The Center of Gravity is located 49.35" behind the front axle.
*Both of the above measurements locate the CG in the same place.

Height of the Center of Gravity:

There is a procedure that allows you to measure the height but this includes raising
the car 2-3 feet off the ground while on scales and replacing the shocks with solid
bars, etc.
BUT for most doorslammers in order to find the Height of the Center of Gravity (CG)
just measure the distance from the ground to the centerline of the camshaft.