Nonlinear Finite Element Study of the Windup Geometry of a Parabolic Front Suspension Leaf Spring

Windup behavior is particularly dangerous in a commercial vehicle, since it can generate undesired lateral movements. Methods previously applied to determine this behavior were not cost nor time efficient. A new proposed method that applies CAD/CAE tools was presented in a previous paper, but that work still relied on a correction factor that is based on a experimental test. Therefore, the present study is geared at eliminating these experimental tests, through the use of a suitable mathematical model and nonlinear analysis.