Abstract
Chevron rubber springs are used in primary suspensions for rail vehicle. Chevron rubber spring have function which reduce vibration and noise, support load carried in operation of rail vehicle. Prediction and evaluation of characteristics are very important in design procedure to assure the safety and reliability of the rubber spring. The computer simulation using the nonlinear finite element analysis program executed to predict and evaluate the load capacity and stiffness for the chevron spring. The non-linear properties of rubber which are described as strain energy functions are important parameters. These are determined by material tests which are uniaxial tension, equi-biaxial tension and shear test. The appropriate shape and material properties are proposed to adjust the required characteristics of rubber springs in the three modes of flexibility.
