Multileaf Spring Model and Its Behaviour in a Tandem Bogie Layout

Abstract

The utilization of independent suspension is rising. For a very specific conditions, the dependent suspension types are still preferred, mainly in case of heavier trucks. Ordinary leaf spring material-steel is being replaced by a variety of composite materials. For the dynamic simulation of the vehicle, the greater importance than a material type, lies in the layout of the suspension. The tandem bogie layout of the multileaf spring suspension has many differences in its behaviour in comparison with ordinary layoutset of two separated multileaf springs allocated to one axle. In the first part of the paper, these differences are listed and explainedmainly the ability of load sharing between the axles. The second part deals with specific aspects of the FEM model, along with the necessary analytical background. The third part consists of various simulation cases with different initial conditionsdifferent constrains, pretension and spring as tyre stiffness. In the last part, the effect of the aforementioned conditions are evaluated and commented. The variations of the hysteresis loops, in force-displacements characteristics, along with derived linear stiffness’s and its behaviour are recommended to be understood for additional application. Therefore, the conclusions are drawn for further utilization of gathered data for the full vehicle simulation.