Helical Springs
Helical Springs
Helical Springs
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:
The maximum shearing stress is the sum of the direct shearing stress 1 = P/A and the torsional
shearing stress 2 = Tr/J, with T = PR.
This formula neglects the curvature of the spring. This is used for light spring where the ratio
d/4R is small.
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.
The elongation of the bar is
Notice that the deformation is directly proportional to the applied load P. The ratio of P to is
called the spring constant k and is equal to
Springs in Series
For two or more springs with spring laid in series, the resulting spring constant k is given by
where k1, k2,... are the spring constants for different springs.
Springs in Parallel
For two or more springs in parallel, the resulting spring constant is
Problem 343
Equation (3-10)
Where:
P = 1.5 kN = 1500 N; R = 90 mm
d = 20 mm; n = 20 turns
m = 2R/d = 2(90)/20 = 9
answer
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Solution 344
Equation (3-10)
Where
P = 500 lb; R = 4 in
d = 1 in; n = 20 turns
m = 2R/d = 2(4)/1 = 8
answer
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Solution 345
Equation (3-9)
answer
Solution 346
Where
= 100 mm; R = 100 mm
d = 20 mm; n = 24 turns
G = 42 000 MPa
Equation (3-10)
Where
m = 2R/d = 2(100)/20 = 10
answer
Solution 347
Equation (3-10)
For Spring (1)
Use
answer
Total elongation:
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Equivalent spring constant, kequivalent:
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Solution 348
Equation (3-9)
For this problem, the critical spring is the one subjected to tension. Use P 2 = 519.75 lb.
answer
Solution 349
Equation (3-9)
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For spring at right:
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Solution 350
Equation (1)
Equation (2)
Equation (3)
From Equation (1)
Equation (4)
From Equation (2)