Testing of fibre composite leaf spring for heavy axle loads

Cherruault , J.-Y., Hou, J., Jeronimidis, G., Mayer, R. and Chvojan , J. (2011) Testing of fibre composite leaf spring for heavy axle loads. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 24 (1). pp. 111-132. ISSN 1530-7980 doi: 10.1177/0892705709096552

Abstract/Summary

This paper presents the results of quasi-static and dynamic testing of glass fiber-reinforced polyester leaf suspension for rail freight vehicles named Euroleaf. The principal elements of the suspension's design and manufacturing process are initially summarized. Comparison between quasi-static tests and finite element predictions are then presented. The Euroleaf suspension have been mounted on a tipper wagon and tested dynamically at tare and full load on a purpose-built shaker rig. A shaker rig dynamic testing methodology has been pioneered for rail vehicles, which follows closely road vehicle suspension dynamic testing methodology. The use and evaluation of this methodology have demonstrated that the Euroleaf suspension is dynamically much softer than steel suspensions even though it is statically much stiffer. As a consequence, the suspension dynamic loading at laden loading conditions is reduced compared to the most advanced steel leaf suspension over shaker rig track tests.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/26942
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of the Built Environment
Uncontrolled Keywords	Glass reinforced plastics; double leaf spring; finite element analysis; static testing; dynamic testing; shaker rig
Publisher	Sage
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