Finite Element Analyses of the Influence of Tyre Functional Parameters on Contact Patch Stresses

Abstract

The study of contact patch stresses represents an important field of research with respect to automotive safety, as well as tyre and road durability, but also concerning vehicle comfort. The finite element method is an important tool for the investigation of tyre-road contact that provides valuable information regarding the generation of forces in the contact patch. The current paper presents an investigation performed on the distribution of stresses developed in the contact patch, using the finite element model of a 11R22.5 radial truck tyre. The analyses performed on the tyre model have emphasized the influence of various functional parameters, such as inflation pressure, camber angle and rolling speed, on the distributions of the contact patch stresses. The inflation pressure has an important effect on contact patch size and normal stress magnitudes. At lower inflation pressure the higher values of shear stress are applied on larger areas, suggesting an increase in the intensity of slip phenomena. The camber angle has an influence on the contact patch shape, as well as on the asymmetry of contact stress distributions with respect to the longitudinal plane. The differences between the distributions of contact patch stresses at different speed values are very small, possibly due to the relatively low speed values. The comparison between the results obtained in static conditions and in rolling conditions has showed insignificant changes in the distribution of normal stresses, but it has revealed major differences concerning the magnitudes and distributions of longitudinal and lateral stresses.