Modeling Vibration-Induced Tire-Pavement Interaction Noise in the Mid-frequency Range

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tire-pavement interaction noise (TPIN) is one of the main sources of exterior noise produced by vehicles traveling at greater than 50 kph. The dominant frequency content is typically within 500–1500 Hz. Structural tire vibrations are among the principal TPIN mechanisms. In this work, the structure of the tire is modeled and a new wave propagation solution to find its response is proposed. Multiple physical effects are accounted for in the formulation. In an effort to analyze the effects of curvature, a flat plate and a cylindrical shell model are presented. Orthotropic and nonuniform structural properties along the tire's transversal direction are included to account for differences between its sidewalls and belt. Finally, the effects of rotation and inflation pressure are also included in the formulation. Modeled frequency response functions are analyzed and validated. In addition, a new frequency-domain formulation is presented for the computation of input tread pattern contact forces. Finally, the rolling tire's normal surface velocity response is coupled with a boundary element model to demonstrate the radiated noise at the leading and trailing edge locations. These results are then compared with experimental data measured with an on-board sound intensity system.