Numerical analysis of wagon leaf springs

Abstract

This paper deals with the methodology of analysis of the leaf springs of the freight railway wagons by using modern software packages. The methodology is applied in a concrete example of leaf spring for axle load of 200 kN. The procedure of forming the CAD model of the leaf spring using AutoCad and Solid Works is exposed, as well as the development of numerical model in Ansys software package. The results of the static and dynamic analysis of given leaf spring are presented and commented. Comparison with the results of analytical calculation has shown the validity of the developed model. In this way, the proposed methodology can be successfully used in the design of various types of leaf springs in engineering practice.