Fatigue evaluation of passenger vehicle suspension components using a generalized multiaxial load programme.

For a time and cost effective testing a procedure is worked out to prove the fatigue life of passenger car suspension components. Using a generalized multiaxial load programme, fatigue behaviour of individual suspension components should be evaluated before the load data of service measurements are available. The procedure is based on a generalized load programme, which takes into account all decisive loading conditions and a representative customer usage. The load programme structure is divided in individual, physically different load sequences and allows an easy adaptation for varying vehicle parameters and eventually usage conditions. The procedure is described, the advantages and restrictions are discussed and results of some tests are presented.