3D modelling of tyre-pavement contact pressure

Abstract

Pavement design assumes uniform contact loading because of bottom-up traditional cracking (far from loading), but nowadays more and more surface damage (top-down cracking and rut) due to new technology in pavement and tyre design is observed. Then, a more realistic tyre–pavement contact modelling has to be considered. In order to go towards more realistic tyre–pavement contact, finite element method consumes a lot of calculation time; so in this article, we propose a semi-analytical model developed for the calculation of ball bearings. The contact is considered as a Hertzian contact, and the surface of the road is flat and that the tyre is smooth. Calculation of contact pressure is compared and validated with experimental data using a device called Stress-In-Motion, which allows contact pressure measurement. Different parameters are assumed in the modelling such as tyre pressure, axle loading and tyre shape. We have now a successful tool to analyse the tyre–pavement contact, more accurate and realistic and especially faster than those used at the moment.