Analysis of Glass Fibre Reinforced Composites Leaf Spring in Light Commercial Vehicle

Abstract

Leaf spring is designed to bear load as well as shocks in automotive vehicles. Two leaves of glass fibre-reinforced composite (GFRC) of various shapes sandwiched between steel plates have been analysed for application in a minitruck. Computer-aided engineering analysis was done for five different types of GFRC material leaf springs: both flat leaf, flat and parabolic leaf, both parabolic leaf, both parabolic leaf springs with aluminium alloy bush at eye-end and spring steel multi-leaf springs. A silencer pad was used in the parabolic leaf spring to reduce delamination and vibration at contact points of the mating leaf. Various shapes and combinations of leaf, provided varying parameters of deformation, maximum equivalent strain, maximum equivalent stress and fatigue life. CAE results show that the flat leaf and parabolic leaf combination provided maximum equivalent strain, maximum equivalent stress and fatigue life as compared to other cases.