Tire–pavement interaction modelling: hyperelastic tire and elastic pavement

Abstract

The interaction between deformable tire and pavement was studied using the validated finite element model; the full understanding of tire–pavement contact has implications for pavement damage prediction and pavement life-cycle assessment (fuel consumption estimation). The tire’s rubber and reinforcement were considered hyperelastic and linear elastic, respectively, with material constants obtained from the tire manufacturer (rubber) and laboratory testing (reinforcement). On the other hand, the pavement was assumed linear elastic supported by linear elastic springs. This assumption was made as a first step to examine the impact of using a deformable-on-deformable tire–pavement system to predict energy in the tire and contact stresses. The effect of the pavement stiffness on contact area, tire deflection, three-dimensional contact stresses, surface deflection, internal energy of the tire and its components, the work performed by the contact forces, and dissipation caused by friction was also studied. The elastic modulus of the pavement affected the contact area, while the elastic constants of the springs were more relevant for tire deflection. In addition, stiffness of the pavement had a varying effect on each component of the three-dimensional contact stresses: vertical contact stresses remained almost constant and longitudinal ones were the most affected. The symmetry of the surface deflection decreased and the friction dissipation increased 10.2% as the elastic modulus changed from the smallest to the highest value. Finally, the work performed by the vertical contact forces was significantly higher than by the in-plane loads, and the stiffness of the pavement affected rolling resistance force, which is related to fuel consumption.