Static Analysis of Composite Leaf Spring: Investigating the Strength and Geometry of Composite Leaf Springs

Abstract

Leaf springs finds its applications in various low motor and heavy motor vehicles. They are made of several leaf plates which bears an elliptical shape. The performance of the leaf spring is described by its strength. The leaves are held together by means of two U-bolts and a center clip. In Current study, leaf springs design is carried according to the available SAE J788 standards, where we are having several dimensions. The effect of leaf geometry taking the thickness (13.20, 21.20, 30, 37.50) for the composite materials (E-glass/epoxy, Graphite/epoxy) at the orientations ([-45|45|-45|45] and [-30|30|-30|30]) are studied. Analytical calculations are obtained by laminate theory. The laminate theory obtained is inputted to Mat lab codes. Results obtained are compared with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) results.