An analytical model for stress estimation at the soil-tire interface using the dynamic contact length

Abstract

The interaction between soil and tire is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors, such as soil properties, vertical load on the wheel, and tire characteristics. However, estimating stress at the tire-soil interface is a challenging task due to the unpredictable nature of soil. Existing models for investigating the wheel-soil interaction are based on soil mechanical parameters, which are highly variable and require significant time and resources to measure accurately. In contrast, the amount of wheel sinkage into the soil can be measured in real-time and is derived from the mechanical properties of the soil. Therefore, there is a need to establish a relationship between stress and wheel characteristics such as dynamic contact length and tire sinkage in soil. To address this issue, this study introduces an analytical method to estimate the dynamic contact surface between the tire and soil. A mathematical model is then proposed to estimate stress, assuming the contact surface and variable pressure at the interface between the soil and tire. The stress model is validated through experimental tests conducted at three different vertical load levels and four different wheel traffic levels in the soil bin, repeated three times.