Overview - ISO 10392:2011 (Road vehicles - Determination of centre of gravity)
ISO 10392:2011 defines standardized methods to determine the location of a road vehicle’s centre of gravity (CG) - both its horizontal coordinates and its height above ground. The standard specifies a horizontal-plane procedure and two accepted methods for CG height: the axle lift method (simpler, less equipment) and the stable pendulum method (more complex, higher accuracy). It also sets test conditions, measurement requirements and recommended data presentation formats.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Scope and definitions
- Applies to road vehicles as defined in ISO 3833.
- Normative references include ISO 612 (vehicle dimensions) and ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary).
- Pre-test conditions
- Fuel tank full; restraint of movable loads; specified vehicle loading conditions.
- Preliminary measurements: wheelbase (left/right), track (front/rear), wheel loads (each corner) and static loaded radii.
- Horizontal-plane CG determination
- Longitudinal CG: calculated from axle loads and wheelbase.
- Lateral CG: determined from corner loads and track dimensions.
- Axle lift method (CG height)
- Lift one axle in incremental steps, record remaining axle load and lifting angle.
- Account for hysteresis by lowering and retesting; repeat by lifting the other axle.
- Equipment needs are modest; typical CG height accuracy is in the range of a few percent.
- Required measurement accuracies (examples): absolute axle load ±0.2 %, angles ±0.5 %, dimensions to specified tolerances.
- Stable pendulum method (CG height)
- Vehicle mounted on a pivoted platform; static torque balance with known applied loads determines CG height.
- Can be configured in pitch or roll; requires determination of platform properties, applied torque and platform deflection.
- Higher accuracy - typically around 0.5%.
- Reporting
- Test data and results to be presented following example reports (annexes in the standard).
Practical applications and users
ISO 10392:2011 is used by:
- Vehicle manufacturers for design verification and mass property control.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies conducting stability, handling and safety testing.
- Vehicle dynamics engineers and suspension calibration teams for tuning and simulation validation.
- Regulatory agencies and homologation authorities assessing rollover and stability compliance.
- Third‑party consultants or fleet operators evaluating load distribution, towing and retrofit effects.
Typical applications include stability/rollover analysis, suspension and chassis development, load distribution checks, and validation of vehicle dynamic models.
Related standards
- ISO 3833 - Road vehicles: types and definitions (CG definition context)
- ISO 612 - Vehicle dimensions: terms and definitions
- ISO 8855 - Vehicle dynamics and road‑holding vocabulary
Keywords: ISO 10392:2011, centre of gravity, CG height, axle lift method, stable pendulum method, road vehicles, vehicle dynamics, vehicle testing.