Effect of Particle Size and Content of Crumb Rubber on the Dynamic Properties of Passenger Tyre Tread Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

A finite element model based on Abaqus software was built to investigate the effect of tread modification on the dynamic behaviour of passenger tyre. The model was used to study the effects of different particle size and content of waste crumb rubber (CR) on the traction, braking and slipping condition of the tyre. The parameters such as reaction force (rolling resistance), pressure at footprint, displacements and strain energy were studied to figure out the behaviour of the tyre at different tread properties. The results show that rolling resistance increased by 3% with the finer CR particle compared to coarse CR, and decreased as the CR content increased. The study also revealed that as the content and particle size of CR reduced, the strain energy increased. The content of 10% CR produces higher rate of increase in comparison to the rate between 20% and 30%. In addition, the contact pressure increased with lower CR content in the tread blend. This behaviour is attributed to the enhancement in the mechanical properties, which produced better traction and braking stability. Same behaviour has been found for the effect of CR particle size.