Introduction

This Manual is written as a guide for the designer of leaf spring installations. It contains information which will make it possible to calculate the space required for a leaf spring, to provide suitable attachments, and to determine the elastic and geometric properties of the assembly. The detail design of the spring itself also is described, but it was not the intention of the Committee to lay down fixed rules for this. The choice of leaf lengths, leaf thicknesses, and leaf curvatures depends upon the type of installation and upon the kind of service. Only an experienced spring engineer can make the best choice of these factors. It is therefore recommended that the de- signer of a leaf spring installation consult a spring maker before the design is finalized.

For standards and practices not covered in this Manual, see the current SAE Handbook.

No attempt has been made to investigate or consider patents which may apply to subject matter presented in this Manual. Those who intend to use any of the constructions described herein should make their own investigations and arrangements in order to avoid liability for infringements.

The term multi-leaf has generally been applied to springs of constant width and with stepped leaves, each of constant thickness, except where leaf ends may be tapered in thickness. More recently, the term has been extended to include an assembly of stacked "single" leaves, each of which is characterized by tapering either in width or in thickness or by a combination of both.

Chapter 10 includes design data for single leaf springs which may be of variable width and constant thickness, constant width and variable thickness, or a combination of variable width and variable thickness.