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)

For Spring (2)

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)

For spring at left:

answer
For spring at right:

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Solution 350

Equation (1)

Equation (2)

Equation (3)
From Equation (1)

Substitute P1 to Equation (3)

Equation (4)
From Equation (2)

Substitute P2 to Equation (4)

For steel at left:

answer
For steel at right:
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For phosphor bronze:
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