Cumulative Fatigue Damage in an Automobile Stabilizer Bar: Correlation Between Laboratory and Road Experiments

Fatigue damage correlation of a stabilizer bar in front suspension (McPherson) of a passenger car between laboratory and road experiments is presented. Cumulative fatigue damage theories together with experimental and analytical techniques of stress analysis are used to determine the fatigue damage imposed on the stabilizer bar, under both conditions (laboratory and actual conditions). FEM models of the stabilizer bars were used to determine the local stresses at critical regions. These stresses were then measured in laboratory, by using strain gages bonded on the material. The assessments of fatigue damage of the stabilizer bar under actual conditions were performed with a component mounted on a vehicle, which was driven over different road surfaces and velocities. The results of both experiment types were correlationed and discussed.