Prediction of dynamic force characteristics od radial tires using finite element and experimental techniques

Abstract

A tire is one of the most important components of a vehicle. To predict its dynamic force characteristics, a detailed finite element model is constructed. In the finite element analysis of the tire, nonlinear stress-strain relationship of rubber, the reinforcements of the tire and contact between the tire and ground are modeled. First, a static tire model is constructed. Its vertical force-deflection characteristics on a surface with and without cleat and the pressure distribution over the cross section are obtained. Then, dynamic force characteristics of the tire are predicted. In the dynamic analysis of the tire, lateral and vertical force characteristics are examined, tire enveloping characteristics at low speed are investigated. Experimental studies are performed to validate finite element model results. All experiments are conducted using the Flat-bed Tire Test Machine at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). Model and experimental results are compared to each other and it is concluded that to some extent, there is a good correlation between them. Error tables are also given to show the accuracy range of the proposed model.