MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
HELICAL SPRINGS
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
When close-coiled helical spring,
composed of a wire of round rod of
diameter d wound into a helix of mean
radius R with n number of turns, is
subjected to an axial load P produces the
following stresses and elongation:
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
The maximum shearing stress is the sum of the direct shearing
stress τ1 = P/A and the torsional shearing stress τ2 = Tr/J, with T = PR.
1 2
2 3
This formula neglects the curvature of the spring. This is used for light
spring where the ratio d/4R is small.
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
For heavy springs and considering the curvature of the spring, A.M. Wahl
formula a more precise, it is given by:
where m is called the spring index and (4m - 1)/(4m - 4) is the Wahl Factor.
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
The elongation of the bar is
3
Notice that the deformation δ is directly proportional to the applied
load P. The ratio of P to δ is called the spring constant k and is equal to
3
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
SPRINGS IN SERIES
For two or more springs with spring laid in series, the resulting spring
constant k is given by
1 2
where k1, k2,... are the spring constants for different springs.
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
Springs in Parallel
For two or more springs in parallel, the resulting spring constant is
1 2
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
Determine the maximum shearing stress and elongation in a helical steel
spring composed of 20 turns of 20-mm-diameter wire on a mean radius of
90 mm when the spring is supporting a load of 1.5 kN. Use G = 83 GPa.
Use Wahl formula
Where:
P = 1.5 kN = 1500 N; R = 90 mm
d = 20 mm; n = 20 turns
m = 2R/d = 2(90)/20 = 9
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
max 3
4
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
A helical spring is fabricated by wrapping wire 3/4 in. in diameter
around a forming cylinder 8 in. in diameter. Compute the number of
turns required to permit an elongation of 4 in. without exceeding a
shearing stress of 18 ksi. Use G = 12 × 106 psi. Neglect curvature of
spring.
max 3
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
3
4
12 × 6)
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
Two steel springs arranged in series as shown supports a
load P. The upper spring has 12 turns of 25-mm-diameter
wire on a mean radius of 100 mm. The lower spring
consists of 10 turns of 20-mm diameter wire on a mean
radius of 75 mm. If the maximum shearing stress in either
spring must not exceed 200 MPa, compute the maximum
value of P and the total elongation of the assembly. Use
Wahl formula and G = 83 GPa. Compute the equivalent
spring constant by dividing the load by the total
elongation.
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
max 3
For spring 1
3
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
For spring 2
3
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
Total elongation: 1 2
1 2
3 3
4 4
Equivalent spring constant, kequivalent:
kequivalent