Analysis of Static and Dynamic Stresses in Helical Spring

Abstract

Static and dynamic stresses in helical springs are analyzed systematically by using the finite element method. In the static stress analysis, the effects of the pitch angle on stresses are investigated and it is reveald that the maximum principal stress governing the fatigue fracture of springs is larger on the outside of coils than on the inside of coils in the case of a large pitch angle and that the cracks may start from the outside of coils. In the dynamic stress analysis, stress distribution along the wire are evaluated in a similar way to the static stress analysis and it is indicated that dynamic stress are much larger than static stresses. The results obtained are corroborated with the experimental results.