Citation

Kong YS, Omar MZ, Chua LB, Abdullah S. ScientificWorldJournal 2013; 2013: 261926.

Affiliation

Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia ; APM Engineering & Research Sdn Bhd, Level 4, Bangunan B, Peremba Square, Saujana Resort, Seksyen U2, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, ScientificWorld, Ltd.)

DOI

10.1155/2013/261926

PMID

24298209

PMCID

PMC3835807

Abstract

This study describes the effects of bounce, brake, and roll behavior of a bus toward its leaf spring suspension systems. Parabolic leaf springs are designed based on vertical deflection and stress; however, loads are practically derived from various modes especially under harsh road drives or emergency braking. Parabolic leaf springs must sustain these loads without failing to ensure bus and passenger safety.

In this study, the explicit nonlinear dynamic finite element (FE) method is implemented because of the complexity of experimental testing A series of load cases; namely, vertical push, wind-up, and suspension roll are introduced for the simulations. The vertical stiffness of the parabolic leaf springs is related to the vehicle load-carrying capability, whereas the wind-up stiffness is associated with vehicle braking. The roll stiffness of the parabolic leaf springs is correlated with the vehicle roll stability. To obtain a better bus performance, two new parabolic leaf spring designs are proposed and simulated. The stress level during the loadings is observed and compared with its design limit.

Results indicate that the newly designed high vertical stiffness parabolic spring provides the bus a greater roll stability and a lower stress value compared with the original design. Bus safety and stability is promoted, as well as the load carrying capability.

Language: en