The suspension system of a car has dashpots and springs Will

The suspension system of a car has dashpots and springs. Will the damping ratio of the car system and the damping coefficient increase with more passengers? How about the vibration response of the car with more passengers? Increase or decrease?

Solution

Damping Ratio is given by b / 2*sqrt(k*m)    which is dependent on mass , therefore damping ratio will decrease with increase with more passengers because m would increase.

Damping Coefficient (b) is a property of the dashpot which is independent of the mass, therefore passengers dont affect damping coefficient.

With more passengers, the damping ratio will decrease hence vibration response will increase.