Computer simulation of tire rolling resistance using finite element method: Effect of linear and nonlinear viscoelastic models

Abstract

This research work is devoted to the study of the effect of model parameters and material properties on tire rolling resistance. The main goal of this research is to investigate and clarify the effect of the adopted hyper-viscoelastic material model on tire rolling resistance simulation results. For this purpose, some new approaches were used and current shortcomings were introduced. Computer simulations were carried out using Abaqus standard command line. Linear and parallel rheological framework viscoelastic models were implemented and rolling resistance of a passenger car tire was determined. Different parametric simulations were carried out and the results were compared with rolling resistance data obtained from experimental tests. The results revealed that the calculated rolling resistance force depends on the implemented viscoelastic model. The linear viscoelastic model could not accurately predict the trend of rolling resistance with variation of tire inflation pressure and applied load. On the contrary, parallel rheological framework could cope with this trend. The parallel rheological framework model is more sensitive to inflation pressure. However, the sensitivity of both models to applied vertical load is nearly the same. Although cornering simulation is independent of the adopted viscoelastic model, the type of viscoelastic model could affect the footprint contact pressure contour.