FATIGUE ANALYSIS OF SINGLE LEAF SPRINGS WITH FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

In this study the main goal is to produce a new method which provide to minimize manufacturing and test periods for leaf springs. Before fatigue life determination of leaf springs, parameters which effect on fatigue life prediction and parabolic leaf spring design have investigated. Parabolic leaf spring’s FEM model’sstress and fatigue life analysis have substantiated with Ansys Workbench 14.5 and Ansys nCode Design Life 14.5. The results obtained were verified by comparing the value of physical tests. This finite element fatigue life studies have proved that it is possible to reach fatigue life prediction of the leaf spring used in light and heavy commercial vehicles without longtime experiments tests on track after prototype manufacturing