SpringProblem 1:

A locomotive spring has an overall length of 1100mm and sustain a load of 75kN at its centre. The
spring has 3 full length leaves and 15 graduated leaves with a central band of 100mm. All the leaves
are to be stressed at 0.4GPa when fully loaded. The ratio of total spring depth to width is 2. Determine

(1).The width and thickness of the leaves.

(2).Initial gap between full length and graduated leaves.

Take E=206.8GPa

SOLUTION:-

Data:

F= 75kN = 75000N ;

if= 3 , ig= 15 , lb= 100mm ;

2
= 0.4GPa = 400N/mm (equally stressed)

2L= 1100mm , B= 100mm ;

3 2
E= 206.8GPa = 206.8 10 N/mm

Solution:

Effective length = 2l =2L-B

= 1100-100

2l = 1000mm

l= 500mm

if=3-1 = 2

ig= 15

18h/b =2 (given)
1
Therefore, 18h=2b
1
h= 0.12b

Total number of leaves i=if+ig

=2+17

i= 17

(1).To find width and thickness :-

1 2
Maximum equalised stress =3Fl / ib h
1 2
400 =( 3 75000 500) / (17 bh)
1 2
b h =16544.11
we know that,
1
18h / b =2
1
b =9h
2
Therefore, 9hh = 16544.11

h = 12.24mm
1
and b = 9 12.24
1
b = 110.16mm

(2).To find initial gap ( C ) :-

3 1 3
C = Fl / ib h E
3 3 3
C = ( 75000 500 ) / (17 110.16 12.24) 206.8 )

C = 13.20mm