MEASUREMENT AND REPRESENTATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TRUCK LEAF SPRINGS

The force-deflection characteristics of truck leaf springs were studied in order to examine the influences of stroking amplitude and frequency, and of nominal static load on spring rate and energy dissipation. Measurements were made of five commercial leaf springs representative of a variety of applications at five stroking frequencies (0.5, 3.0, 6.0, 10.0, and 15.0 Hz.) for three stroking amplitudes and two nominal static loads (either .1, .2, and .4 in. at 4000 lb. and 6000 lb., or .05, .1, and .2 in. at 1500 lb. and 6000 lb. or at 2000 lb. and 6000 lb.). The test results indicate that stroking frequency over the 0 to 15 Hz. range has no influence on spring rate and energy dissipation of truck leaf springs. These springs are highly nonlinear devices for which the average damping force in a cycle of stroking increases directly with either the stroking amplitude or nominal static load, and the effective spring rate decreases if the stroking amplitude is increased or if the nominal static load is decreased. A mathematical method for representing the force-vs.-deflection characteristics of leaf springs is presented in a form suitable for use in digital simulations of commercial vehicle dynamic performance.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the SAE West Coast International Meeting, Los Angeles, 11-14 August 1980.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Fancher, P S
  • Ervin, R D
  • MacAdam, C C
  • Winkler, C B
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 16 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commercial vehicles; Leaf springs; Measurement; Mechanical properties; Trucks; Vehicle performance
• Subject Areas: Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00376924
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE-800905, HS-030 106
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 30 1983 12:00AM