Slip Damping in Vibrating Layered Beams and Leaf Springs: Energy Dissipated and Optimum Considerations

International Journal of Structural Integrity

Malikoutsakis

2015

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide sound understanding of the mutual interactions of the major leaf spring design parameters and their effects on both the stress behavior of the designed leaf and the steering behavior of the vehicle. Design/methodology/approach – Finite elements analyses have been performed referring to the design of a high performance monoleaf spring used for the suspension of the front axle of a serial heavy truck. Design parameters like eye type, eye lever, spring rate and arm rate difference have been parametrically examined regarding the stress performance and their influence on the wheel joint kinematics. The effect of each design parameter is exhibited both qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings – Eye lever and eye type affect significantly the wheel joint kinematics and therewith the steering behavior of the vehicle. Spring rate and arm rate difference affect solely the stress performance of the leaf spring. Practical implications – Design engineers may use the outcomes of this research as a guide to achieve optimal leaf spring design ensuring its operational strength in conjunction with accurate steering performance of the vehicle. Originality/value – The international literature contains only few, mostly qualitative data regarding the effect of single design parameters on the leaf spring and the corresponding axle kinematics. The present work contains a comprehensive and systematic study of all major leaf spring design parameters, and reveals their effect on both the stress behavior and the steering behavior of the vehicle qualitatively and quantitatively.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced leaf spring design and analysis with respect to vehicle kinematics and durability

Karditsas

International Journal of Structural Integrity

Malikoutsakis

2015

“…Over the past years the advancement of calculation techniques, and the curbing of tremendous computational power, enabled a more effective and reliable design of leaf springs, offering parabolic thickness reduction over their length. Moreover, models based on finite elements and/or Euler's beam theory (Kim et al , 2002; Savaidis et al , 1999) led to leaf shape design exhibiting advanced stiffness performance and reduced noise problems, especially of progressive multi‐leaf springs (Badrakhan, 1994; Zahavi, 1997; Kim and Moon, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FE simulation of vehicle leaf spring behavior under driving manoeuvres

Malikoutsakis

Int Jnl of Struct Integrity

2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a FE based modeling procedure for describing the mechanical behavior of high‐performance leaf springs made of high‐strength steels under damaging driving manoeuvres.Design/methodology/approachThe type and number of finite elements over the thickness of leaves, as well as the definition of contact, friction and clamping conditions, have been investigated to describe the mechanical behavior in an accurate and time‐effective manner. The proposed modeling procedure is applied on a multi‐leaf spring providing complex geometry and kinematics during operation. The calculation accuracy is verified based on experimental stress results.FindingsA FE based modeling procedure is developed to describe the kinematics and mechanical behavior of high‐performance leaf springs subjected till up to extreme driving loads. Comparison of numerically determined stress distributions with corresponding experimental results for a serial front axle multi‐leaf spring providing complex geometry and subjected to vertical and braking loads confirms high calculation accuracy.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed FE based model is restricted to linear elastic material behavior, which is, however, reasonable for the high‐strength steels used for leaf spring applications.Practical implicationsThe proposed FE procedure can be applied for the design and optimization of automotive leaf springs, especially for trucks.Originality/valueThe proposed procedure is simple and can be applied in a very early design stage. It is able to describe accurately the leaf behavior, especially the stiffness and stress response under the most significant driving events. It goes far beyond today's practice for leaf spring design, which is based on analytical methods not covering complex axle and steering kinematics, large deformations and non‐linearities.

Lat. Am. j. solids struct.

“…In the case of layered beams, one of the earliest works was developed by Goodman and Klumpp [1], where the emphasis has revolved around the maximum amount of energy dissipation for two-layered beam in the case of dynamic loading. Badrakhan [2] derived the energy dissipated by Coulomb friction and optimum pressure for maximum energy for any number of layers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stick-slip analysis in vibrating two-layer beams with frictional interface

Sedighi

Shirazi

Naderan-Tahan

2013

This paper attempts to present a new analysis for dynamical behavior of two-layer beams with frictional interface which held together in a pressurized environment, including stick-slip nonlinear phenomenon. To achieve a proper outlook of two-layer beam structures behavior, it is essential to realize the mechanisms of motion precisely. Coupled equation of transversal and longitudinal vibration of two-layers in the presence of dry friction is derived and nondimensionalized. Furthermore, free and forced vibration of the mentioned system is investigated and the system dynamics is monitored via Poincare maps and Lyapunov exponent analysis. A comparative study with ANSYS is developed to show the accuracy of the proposed approach.