Spring Constant of a Rod

Spring constant of a Rod

The elongation (or shortening) of the rod under the axial tensile
(or compressive) force F can be expressed as
δ σ
δ = l = ε l = l = Fl AE
l E
We know F = kδ

F AE
Therefore; k= δ =
l

1 MEng3072_Unit 2_2_Dr. TMJ - 27 March 2017

Spring Constant of a Cantilever Beam

Cantilever with end force

Equivalent Spring

The end deflection of the beam due to 3

a concentrated load F = W is given by

δ= wl
3EI

3EI
Hence the spring constant; k =W δ = l3

2 MEng3072_Unit 2_2_Dr. TMJ - 27 March 2017

 Spring Static Deflection
kδ s

FBD of the mass when the

The spring has a static spring force when system is in equilibrium.
the system is in static equilibrium.

Since the force is the stiffness times the change in length from its
unstretched length, the static deflection is given by

Δ s or δ s = mg k

3 MEng3072_Unit 2_2_Dr. TMJ - 27 March 2017

Examples

Determine the static deflection of the spring in

the system of Figure

FBD

Summing up the forces ΣF = 0

T1 + kδ s == m1g
Summing moments about the center of the disk ΣM o = 0
m2 gr2 − (m1g − kδ s )r1 = 0

(m1gr1 − m2 gr2 )
Static Deflection Δ s or δ s =
kr1
4 MEng3072_Unit 2_2_Dr. TMJ - 27 March 2017
Spring In Combination

F = keq x

Combination of springs replaced by a single spring

⎛ n ⎞
F = k1 x + k2 x + k3 x + ........+ kn x = ⎜ ∑ ki ⎟ x
⎝ i=1 ⎠
n
keq = ∑ ki
i=1

keq = k1 + k2 + k3 + ........+ kn

Springs in Parallel

5 MEng3072_Unit 2_2_Dr. TMJ - 27 March 2017

Spring In Combination

Springs in Series

⎛ n ⎞
x = x1 + x2 + x3 + ........+ xn = ⎜ ∑ xi ⎟
⎝ i=1 ⎠
n
x= ∑F k
i=1 i

1
keq =
⎛ n 1 ⎞
⎜⎝ ∑ ki ⎟⎠
i=1

1 1 1 1 1
= + + + ........+
keq k1 k2 k3 kn
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Equivalent Spring Problems

Figure shows the suspension system of a freight truck with a parallel-spring

arrangement. Find the equivalent spring constant of the suspension if each
of the three helical springs is made of steel with shear modulus, G = 80 x 109
N/m2 and has five effective turns, mean coil diameter d = 20 cm, and wire
diameter D = 2 cm
GD 4
k= 40,000 N m
64Nr 3

Three springs are identical and parallel

keq = k1 + k2 + k3 = 3k
3 × 40,000 = 120,000 N m
7 MEng3072_Unit 2_2_Dr. TMJ - 27 March 2017