Cornering stiffness characteristics of honeycomb wheels: A parametric analysis using response surface method

Abstract

Non-pneumatic wheels with honeycomb spokes exhibit high out-of-plane rigidity and thereby high cornering stiffness with force saturation at very low side-slip deformations. In this study, three-dimensional finite element (FE) models of a honeycomb wheel with three different cell angles were developed to investigate its cornering stiffness characteristics. The validity of the developed models was demonstrated by comparing predicted wheel responses with the reported data under identical operating conditions. Regression models relating wheel cornering stiffness with the significant design parameters and their two-factor interactions were subsequently formulated using the results derived from the FE models based on the design points obtained using half fractional factorial and central composite design approaches. The regression models revealed relatively good prediction ability within the design space considered. It is shown that cornering stiffness of the honeycomb wheel is strongly influenced by the geometric and material properties of the annular layer and the tread, while the lateral stiffness is mostly affected by honeycomb spokes and tread design parameters. The regression models could thus serve as an efficient design tool to derive design guidance for honeycomb wheels for realizing desired cornering stiffness.