Measurement and Representation of the Mechanical Properties of Truck Leaf Springs

The force-versus-deflection properties of truck leaf springs are studied with respect to the influences of motion amplitude and frequency (0 to 15 Hz) upon hysteretic damping and effective spring rate. Presented test results indicate that the energy loss per cycle of motion of a leaf spring is independent of the frequency of cycling. Measurements showing the influence of the amplitude of stroking are analyzed for five representative examples of currently employed leaf springs. A mathematical method for representing the force-versus-deflection characteristics of leaf springs is presented in a form suitable for use in digital simulations of vehicle dynamics.