Structural Engineering and Mechanics
Volume 47, Number 3, 2013, pages 443-454
DOI: 10.12989/sem.2013.47.3.443
Analysis of multi leaf spring based on contact mechanics – a novel approach
R. Kumaravelan, S. Ramesh, V.C. Sathish Gandhi, M. Joemax Agu and M. Thanmanaselvi
Abstract
A leaf spring, especially the longitudinal type is liable and persistent element in automotive suspension system. In the present scenario the composite materials are widely used in the automobile industries has shown a great interest in the replacement of steel spring due to high strength by weight ratio. Previous investigations focused on stresses and displacement analysis of single leaf spring for different materials. The present work aims to design and analysis of leaf spring for two different cases by considering the Young\'s modulus to yield strength ratio. In the first case the analysis deals with the design and analysis of a single cantilever solid triangle beam which is an equivalent beam of a spring with three leaves having
uniform strength. In the second case a 3- beams of rectangular cross section has been considered which is
equivalent to a spring with three leaves. The analysis was carried out based on contact mechanics approach. The results were compared, that the fiberglass composite leaf spring is suitable for high loading capacity, reliability and efficiency.
Key Words
contact analysis; composite material; leaf spring; Young\'s modulus; yield strength
Address
R. Kumaravelan : Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velalar College of Engineering and Technology, Erode - 638012, Tamilnadu, India
S. Ramesh : Department of Mechanical Engineering, Annai Mathammal Sheela Engineering College, Namakkal - 637013, Tamilnadu, India
V.C. Sathish Gandhi : Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College of Engineering Nagercoil, Anna University, Tirunelveli Region, Konam, Nagercoil - 629004, Tamilnadu, India
M. Joemax Agu : Department of Mechanical Engineering, CSI Institute of Technology, Thovali, Nagercoil - 629302,
Tamilnadu, India
M. Thanmanaselvi : Department of Civil Engineering, University College of Engineering Nagercoil, Anna University, Tirunelveli Region, Konam, Nagercoil - 629004, Tamilnadu, India