Calibration of DEM-FEM model parameters for traction performance analysis of an off-road tire on gravel terrain

Abstract

This work aims to determine a complete set of input parameters of the DEM-FEM coupling model, which ensures us obtain more realistic simulation results of the tire-terrain interactions. Firstly, we investigate the macroscopic responses of the gravel sample, the stress-strain curves and deformations, which is finished by the triaxial tests at different confining pressures of 25 kPa, 50 kPa and 100 kPa. Then, the microscopic input parameters of the numerical simulations are obtained by iteratively adjusting the coupling model parameters, which are employed to meet the macroscopic responses of the triaxial tests. Finally, the traction behavior researches of an off-road tire on gravel terrain are carried out by the DEM-FEM coupling model with the calibrated microscopic input parameters mentioned above. The predicted traction performance parameters such as the vertical reaction force, tractive force and tire sinkage are qualitatively in agreements with the corresponding experimental results. The effectiveness of the calibration method using numerical triaxial tests is validated in traction behavior of tire-terrain interactions.