Nonlinear finite element analysis and experimental study on the stiffness of rubber joint

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rubber joint is a vital component widely used for rail vehicles. This paper presents a method to obtain effective stiffness for rubber joint by using an integrated design-simulation-testing-design procedure. A new type of rubber joint composed of steel and rubber was designed and produced for a CL242 bogie. It was taken as an example to establish a finite element model, and the effective stiffness of the structure under loading was obtained by ANSYS. The predicted stiffness was compared with test results measured in the laboratory, and the nonlinear finite element analysis results are in good agreement with the experimental curves, which shows that the finite element model is reliable. Furthermore, the effect of rubber-damping characteristics and structural parameters on the stiffness of rubber joint was studied based on the reliable finite element model. The FEA result shows that the radial and axial stiffness values decrease rapidly, as the value of rubber thickness h increases. However, there is an upward trend of the radial and axial stiffness with increasing of inclination angle a and rubber-damping characteristics. Therefore, the methodology used in this study could provide useful guidance for the structural design optimization and development of new rubber joints.