Comparison of Cylindrical and Conical Helical Springs for their Buckling Load and Deflection

Abstract

Buckling behavior of cylindrical helical springs subjected to axial load has already been illustrated in the past theories. Unlike cylindrical spring, the behavior of conical compression spring has both linear and nonlinear phase. Very little literature on buckling of conical springs can be found in the past. In this paper, an analytical buckling equation with its experimental verification has been proposed by authors and used it along with the existing theories to locate the phase of compression of conical spring at which buckling occurs. Subsequently, a comparison between cylindrical and conical springs has been made at the point of buckling of cylindrical spring in respect of their load and deflection. This would help to decide the suitability of conical springs against buckling failure of cylindrical springs under the given operating conditions.