Fatigue Failure Behaviour Study of Automotive Lower Suspension Arm
Fatigue life of automotive lower suspension arm has been studied under variable amplitude loadings. In simulation, the geometry of a sedan car lower suspension arm has been used. To obtain the material monotonic properties, tensile test has been carried out and to specify the material mechanical properties of the used material, a fatigue test under constant amplitude loading has been carried out using the ASTM standard specimens. Then, the results used in the finite element software to predict fatigue life has been evaluated later to show the accuracy and efficiency of the numerical models which they are appreciated. The finite element analysis tool is therefore proved to be a good alternative prior to the further experimental process. The predicted fatigue life from the simulation showed that Smith-Watson-Topper model provides longer life than Morrow and Coffin-Manson models. This is due to the different consideration for each strain-life model during life calculations.