INVESTIGATION OF HYBRID AND DIFFERENT CROSS-SECTION COMPOSITE DISC SPRINGS USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
In this study the effectiveness of composite disc springs with different cross-section and hybrid type are determined by taking into account load capacities, masses, hybridization characteristics and costs of composite disc springs. The disc springs are analyzed with ABAQUS finite elements program by compressing between two rigid plates. The load-deflection characteristics obtained as a result of the analysis are compared with the analytic and experimental studies. Then different cross-section and hybrid composite disc springs were modeled. The trapeze A disc spring were confirmed to be more advantageous in terms of load capacity and mass by investigating the modeled disc springs. The effect of hybridization on hybrid disc springs with standard cross-section was investigated and optimum hybrid disc spring was determined according to cost and maximum loading capacity. Consequently, it is determined that carbon/epoxy plies used for outer layers are more advantageous. But the outer ply subjected to force was damaged thus this layer should be particularly reinforced.