An Advancement in Truck-Tire–Road Interaction Using the Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

This paper aimed to investigate the cornering characteristics of a Regional Haul Steer II, RHS 315/80 R22.5 truck tire traveling on a dry, hard surface using the Finite element analysis (FEA). This research was carried out using commercial Finite Element software and Pam-Crash in an Explicit Environment. A finite element truck tire model was developed to apply the tire terrain cornering condition. The concentrated loads and boundary conditions for the rim and wheel were applied to the model. The rubber material was defined using the Mooney–Rivlin model. The truck tire cornering operating conditions, including three different speeds with respect to various positive slip angles, were investigated. Several simulations were repeated at various operating conditions, including three different inflation pressures and three different vertical loads. Subsequently, the tire lateral force was computed using the local and global frame coordinates. Additionally, the self-aligning moment was extracted from the tire cross-section at each operating condition. Finally, a comparison between the simulation results showed that the tire lateral force was highly sensitive to the variation of the slip angles at the higher domain, and also that the tire inflation pressure, regardless of the speed, was considered to be one of the main parameters directly affecting the tire-cornering properties.