Finite Element Tire Model Research Articles

Appraisal of numerical based finite element method to synthesise the wheel-obstacle collision dynamics using a single-wheel tester

As a very substantial aspect of vehicle dynamics and vibrational controlling, it is essential to ascertain the role of tyre-obstacle collision kinetics. Ride comfort assessments are pivotal in predicting the non-linear deformation, particularly when traversing large road obstacles. The present study focuses on the assessment of tyres travelling over different obstacles using a well-equipped soil bin facility and a single-wheel tester. The vertically and longitudinally oriented load cells were responsible for measuring the vertical and longitudinal force variations. Additionally, a finite element tyre model was developed specially for this purpose using explicit integration in ABAQUS ™. It was found that with the increase of the resonant amplitude of spindle force response as well as the tyre deformation becomes greater in both longitudinal and vertical directions. It was revealed that the new proposed model can serve as a functional alternative to classical modelling tools for the prediction of nonlinear wheel dynamics.

In-Plane Flexible Ring Tire Model—Part 2: Parameterization

ABSTRACT The flexible ring tire model has recently gained significant attention in vehicle dynamics and analysis of road loads because it is able to capture the tire belt deflection under various driving conditions and compute more efficiently than the complex finite element tire model. This article presents the second part of the in-plane flexible ring tire model study with the recently developed flexible ring tire model to investigate several important aspects about tire model parameterization. First, we use the FTire® model in the MSC ADAMS/View® virtual test rig to generate five sets of spindle longitudinal and vertical loads on cleats with different heights, static loads, and speeds. These spindle loads are considered the “experimental data” in view of proving the accuracy of the commercial FTire® model that can accurately predict the spindle loads, especially in well-controlled test rigs. Next, one set of tire model parameters identified with a specific cleat test case is applied to other cleat test cases to predict the tire spindle forces, which are then compared with those corresponding experimental data. Similarly, this process is repeated for each cleat test case to yield different sets of parameters, respectively. Afterward, the predicted spindle loads are compared with the experimental data, respectively, based on SAE Standard J2812, and the predicted errors are assessed to determine which cleat test case is the best choice to identify parameters of the tire model. Finally, the effects of the belt point number and tread block number on the prediction accuracy and efficiency are discussed.

Simulation of temperature rise within a rolling tire by using FE analysis

A simulation method is proposed to predict temperature rise within a dynamic rolling tire. The friction heat from tire-road contact and the internal heat generated by hysteresis loss caused by rubber deformation are considered in the simulation model. A systematic process was developed to calculate the heat generation rate by using dissipated energy, and it was applied to the simulation model by establishing user subroutines. An axial tensile test was conducted for the rubber specimen, and the obtained stress-strain curve was applied to the simulation model based on the first-invariant Marlow model. The reliability of the simulation method was verified by comparing the tensile simulation and test results. A simplified 3D finite element tire model was developed, and simulations were performed in dynamic rolling conditions. Heat was generated because of friction and internal deformation. The temperature distribution within the tire, which was derived using the model, indicates that the proposed simulation method is reliable.

Numerical and Experimental Predictions of Texture-Related Influences on Rolling Resistance

To overcome rolling resistance (RR) a typical vehicle on average consumes 4152 MJ/119 L of fuel annually as a result of both vehicle and pavement factors. A slight improvement in surface texture arrangement may therefore decrease fuel consumption bringing substantial long-term socio-economic benefits. This aligns with ever-tighter limits on CO2 in the USA (163 g/km until 2025) fostering sustainable construction/exploitation of tires/pavements. This paper describes a multi-scale 3-D numerical methodology to calculate micro-distortional RR and contact indentations of surface aggregates into visco-elastic tread compound accounting for loading, velocity, temperature, and compound properties. It consists of a micro-scale tread block single aggregate model and a macro-scale car tire finite element model, rolling in steady-state mode over a rigid smooth surface. The surface texture is idealized in terms of hemispherical indenters. The micro-distortional RR estimates are based on contact force and energy lost per single stone. The computed contact/normal forces peak significantly due to visco-elastic effects at the beginning of the tire–surface contact phase, followed by a gradually relaxing stress region with a sudden release at the end of the interaction. The contact forces appear to be of a reasonable distribution and magnitude. It is found that micro-distortional RR is higher on a rougher and sparsely packed surface compared with a smoother and more tightly packed case. To determine the total tire-related RR, macro-distortional RR can then be added. The predictions were qualitatively confirmed and adjusted against real bituminous mixes by experimental testing, showing a reasonable agreement.

Prediction of Uneven Tire Wear Using Wear Progress Simulation

ABSTRACT Tire wear performance is very important in terms of safety and economic benefit for customers and environmental conservation. Tire wear performance can be sorted into “global” or “local” wear. Local wear means uneven tire wear, for example, heel/toe wear, one-sided shoulder wear, feather edge wear, etc. This uneven wear decreases tire life locally and has the potential for causing a noise problem, so it is very important to improve uneven wear performance for long life tire. It is difficult to correctly evaluate the uneven tire wear performance of a brand-new tire, because the tire wear performance changes with tire pattern shape transformation as it wears. In order to experimentally evaluate uneven wear performance accurately, we have to do time-consuming tire road tests. Therefore, we need a prediction method for uneven wear. In this paper, we introduce “wear progress simulation” developed in order to evaluate heel/toe wear performance, which occurs in the shoulder blocks. This method involves “wearing out the finite element (FE) tire model” using wear energy calculated from tire rolling simulation. By this method, we can observe the transformation of tire pattern shape and wear energy distribution. As a result, we can estimate the difference of heel/toe wear performance among tires by our developed simulation.

Prediction of influence of operating conditions and tyre design parameters on tyre cornering characteristics

Finite element (FE) tyre models are widely used for predicting tyre characteristics and dynamic properties used for vehicle dynamics simulation for CAE durability, ride comfort and handling assessment. Particularly, tyre FE simulation can be used to predict variation in tyre characteristics which would be too tedious to measure using laboratory tests, such as those due to changes in the tyre reinforcement material or structural layup. The cornering force characteristics of a tyre is one of the most influential factors in full vehicle dynamics simulation, having a significant effect on the directional control and handling stability of the vehicle. A validated FE tyre model developed using ABAQUS was used in parametric studies to determine factors affecting cornering force and aligning moment characteristics using design of experiments (DOE) method. Prediction of the cornering properties of the rolling tyre demonstrated the sensitivity of tyre cornering properties to tyre design parameters and operating conditions.

Prediction of influence of operating conditions and tyre design parameters on tyre cornering characteristics

Finite element (FE) tyre models are widely used for predicting tyre characteristics and dynamic properties used for vehicle dynamics simulation for CAE durability, ride comfort and handling assessment. Particularly, tyre FE simulation can be used to predict variation in tyre characteristics which would be too tedious to measure using laboratory tests, such as those due to changes in the tyre reinforcement material or structural layup. The cornering force characteristics of a tyre is one of the most influential factors in full vehicle dynamics simulation, having a significant effect on the directional control and handling stability of the vehicle. A validated FE tyre model developed using ABAQUS was used in parametric studies to determine factors affecting cornering force and aligning moment characteristics using design of experiments (DOE) method. Prediction of the cornering properties of the rolling tyre demonstrated the sensitivity of tyre cornering properties to tyre design parameters and operating conditions.

A Novel Multiscale Numerical Model for Prediction of Texture-Related Impacts on Fuel Consumption

ABSTRACT It is estimated that to overcome rolling resistance (RR) a typical vehicle, on average, consumes 4152 MJ/119 L of fuel annually, depending not only on vehicle-related factors but also on pavement-related factors. A slight improvement in surface properties may thus decrease fuel consumption, bringing substantial long-term socioeconomic benefits per capita per country. This aligns with ever-tighter limits on CO2 in the European Union (95 g/km until 2021), fostering sustainable construction and exploitation of tires and pavements. This paper outlines a newly developed multiscale three-dimensional numerical methodology to quantify texture-dependent RR due to indentation of aggregates into viscoelastic tread compound. It consists of a microscale tread block single-aggregate model and a macroscale car tire finite element model, rolling in a steady-state mode over a rigid smooth surface. Microscale interaction rates are deduced from the macroscale model. Tread compound is simulated by application of a time-dependent, linear, viscoelastic model. The microscale simulations enabled quantification of RR induced by an arrangement of surface aggregates. The outlined texture-dependent RR estimates are based on contact force moment around the contact patch center. The computed contact force results show a significant peak of normal force due to viscoelastic and inertia effects at the onset of the tire–surface contact phase, followed by a gradually decreasing/relaxing stress region with a sudden release at the end of the interaction. The contact forces seem to be of a reasonable distribution and magnitude. The proposed approach allows prediction of RR losses due to compressive forces at the microscale. Macro-distortional RR (which is not the subject of this paper) would then have to be added to find the total tire-related RR.

The effects of tyre material and structure properties on relaxation length using finite element method

This study investigates the influence of tyre structural layup and material properties on the relaxation length of a rolling tyre using finite element analysis. Relaxation length for rolling tyre under different operating conditions has been studied recently. However, the effects of tyre structural layup and material properties on relaxation length were ignored. In this present work, a finite element (FE) tyre model was built based on the material and geometry properties obtained from measurements of the tyre provided by a vehicle company. Rather than the common method (steady state rolling analysis) used for cornering behaviour simulations, ABAQUS/Explicit program was used for prediction of the cornering performance and relaxation length for a constant slip angle of the rolling tyre. Two different steer inputs were applied to the rolling tyre in terms of slip angle variation, namely step input and ramp input. The effects of various factors, including cross-section area, spacing, crown angle and strength of the tyre reinforcement cords, on relaxation length of the rolling tyre were investigated by numerical experiments using the design of experiment (DOE) method.

Physics-Based Flexible Tire Model Integrated With LuGre Tire Friction for Transient Braking and Cornering Analysis

In transient vehicle maneuvers, structural tire deformation due to the large load transfer causes abrupt change in normal contact pressure and slip distribution over the contact patch, and it has a dominant effect on characterizing the transient braking and cornering forces including the history-dependent friction-induced hysteresis effect. To account for the dynamic coupling of structural tire deformations and the transient tire friction behavior, a physics-based flexible tire model is developed using the laminated composite shell element based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation and the distributed parameter LuGre tire friction model. In particular, a numerical procedure to integrate the distributed parameter LuGre tire friction model into the finite-element based spatial flexible tire model is proposed. To this end, the spatially discretized form of the LuGre tire friction model is derived and integrated into the finite-element tire model such that change in the normal contact pressure and slip distributions over the contact patch predicted by the deformable tire model enters into the spatially discretized LuGre tire friction model to predict the transient shear contact stress distribution. By doing so, the structural tire deformation and the LuGre tire friction force model are dynamically coupled in the final form of the equations, and these equations are integrated simultaneously forward in time at every time step. The tire model developed is experimentally validated and several numerical examples for hard braking and cornering simulation are presented to demonstrate capabilities of the physics-based flexible tire model developed in this study.

Finite element tyre model for antilock braking system study

In the present work a 235/75R15 tyre 3D finite element (FE) model was developed using the commercial software package ABAQUS. The finite element model considers the severe nonlinearities due to a tyre's complicated geometry, hyperelastic properties of the rubber material, contact between the tyre and the road, and the reinforcing bars inside the tyre's structure. The FE model was utilised to implement a braking event of antilock braking system (ABS) controller logic. The ABS controller was developed based on a commercially available system and the logic was coded in Fortran 77 and implemented in a UVAMP ABAQUS subroutine. The detailed 3D tyre model and the FE ABS model are discussed in detail. The results show that the ABS logic is capable of maintaining the minimum slip ratio to avoid tyre sliding.

Finite element tyre model for antilock braking system study

Finite element tyre model for antilock braking system study

Numerical and experimental studies of a radial truck tire with tread pattern

A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element tire model with detailed tread pattern and a smooth tread tire model for comparison are constructed. The tire–rim and tire–road interactions are considered in these tire models. The static vertical loading and rolling procedures of the tire are simulated by using the ABAQUS code. Presented in this paper are the relationship between vertical loading and tire deflection, and the contact footprints, along with the pressure distribution achieved by the pressure-sensing pad experiment and the finite element tire modeling. The predicted results via the modeling method proposed in this study are in good agreement with experiments. In addition, the forces of belts, the deformation and strain energy density of tread blocks obtained from the tire model are also presented when the tire is in braking and traction rolling situations. The reliability of the proposed tire modeling methodology is validated.

Experiments and finite element simulations of a tyre blow-out process

The methodology for studying a tyre blow-out process using both experiments and simulations is presented in this paper. To achieve this, a tyre blow-out generator and an experimental device for tyre blow-out are developed. Moreover, tyre blow-out experiments in the static state are implemented. Then, the finite element tyre model corresponding to the experiments is established. The experimental results show that the tyre blow-out generator developed can effectively replicate the sudden inflation pressure loss without inflicting permanent damage on the tyre structure. The comparison between the simulations and the experiments shows that the finite element tyre model developed can simulate the tyre blow-out phenomenon and that the simulation analysis method is correct and effective. The tyre blow-out generator developed and the finite element tyre model established therefore provide the basis for further simulations and investigations of tyre blow-out during the normal motion of a vehicle and its effect on the handling stability.

Transient dynamics of an excavator tyre rolling over speed bump

Analysis of tyre transient dynamics is an important aspect in the study of vehicle ride comfort and handling performance. A three-dimensional finite element excavator tyre model considering intricate tread patterns and reinforced inner layers was developed in this paper. For the validation of the finite element tyre model, simulation and experimental results of tyre stiffness and contact pressure on the tyre–road interaction interface were studied and compared. The validated tyre model was further applied to simulate the tyre–speed bump impact, and transient dynamic responses of the excavator tyre such as tyre acceleration were analysed in the time and frequency domain. The influences of the inflation pressure, the translational velocity and the axle load on the tyre transient dynamics were studied and analysed based on the simulation results.

Prediction procedure for wear distribution of transient rolling tire

As a research method, finite element analysis (FEA) with ABAQUS can help researchers to study throughout the whole process of abnormal tire wear. For precise tread wear simulation, this paper introduces a tire finite element model building method. Then, the model is verified by comparing its simulation results with experiment data. Based on the verified model, tire high-speed rolling procedure is presented by combining steady-state transport analysis and dynamic analysis. To predict the wear distribution, micro tread wear calculation method is described. Finally, the wear prediction procedure of tread mesh evolving is introduced and tire polygonal wear pattern is simulated by this procedure.

Simulation and Research on Safety Testing of Driving Artillery

As it is dangerous to implement a physical test for studying the influence of internal supporter tire to the performance of artillery towing, we carried out virtual experiments to study its dynamic behavior based on PRO/E. Based on the force analysis of tire structure, the calculation of forces are specified. We constructed the finite element model of tire and achieved its diagram of stress distribution in the later simulation. With the software Recurdyn, we analyzed the marching behavior of internal supporter tire at different speeds, and compared with that of conventional pneumatic tire. The experiment result shows that as the internal supporter tire has a reasonable structure, its stress is well-distributed. The sidepartial acceleration can be apparently affected by speed. The internal supporter tire has a better performance than conventional pneumatic tire. Our study lays a theoretical foundation for the application of the internal supporter tire.

Development of a detailed aircraft tyre finite element model for safety assessment

This paper describes the development of a detailed finite element (FE) model of an aircraft test tyre in order to investigate its performance and assess its safety criteria. It is noticed that rubber and fabric composite materials are the major components of this tyre model and their characterization requires tests and correlation. The characterization of such materials is of great importance in the model development process.Due to its complicated mechanical behaviour that exceeds the linear elastic theory, rubber is generally considered as hyperelastic material in FE analysis. It can be defined by a stored energy function with various coefficients that need to be determined by a series of experimental test data. The key issue is to define an appropriate energy function that can provide good fit with the experimental test data.Initially, a full-scaled LS-Dyna FE model has been development to replicate the actual geometry of the target test tyre. The material properties of each individual component have been characterized and correlated with industrial uniaxial tension test data. The inflation and static load simulations have been analyzed basing on the characterized tyre model, indicating its reliability.The dynamic simulations that aim to duplicate tyre load upon aircraft landing scenarios have also been analyzed. Following the comments and guidelines from aircraft industrial data, the dynamic simulations have covered the tyre loading scenarios from normal (soft) landing, hard landing to crash landing under different aircraft landing weights and vertical speeds. The tyre deflection rate and the contact load have been chosen as the safety criteria. The simulation analysis, results and comments have been discussed in detail.The modelling and correlation processes described in this paper aim to demonstrate the importance of hyperelastic material characterization in developing a detailed FE tyre model. Such a predictive model can be effectively used during tyre design process to allow manufacturers to assess its availability, and also add to the general drive towards the use of more virtual prototypes in an area traditionally reliant on experimental testing.

Analysis of soil compaction and tire mobility with finite element method

Soil compaction, as a form of soil degradation, accounts for the increase of soil strength and the reduction of soil production capability. Two finite element tire models were developed based on the real geometry and structure of a Bridgestone bias tire. With a single wheel tester, field experiments were performed to validate the finite element tire–soil interaction models. The influence of axle load and inflation pressure on the soil compaction was studied with a finite element tire model using coarse meshes, which improves the computation efficiency without degrading the simulation accuracy. Tire mobility such as drawbar pull, rolling resistance and lateral force generated inside the tire–soil contact patch is an important index for the performance of off-road vehicles. The relationship between the slip ratio, the slip angle and the tire mobility was investigated through the simulations carried out with the other finite element tire model using fine meshes.

Experimental verification and finite element modeling of radial truck tire under static loading

Based on taking comprehensively into account the actual structure of the radial truck tire, including the contact non-linearity boundaries, such as tire-rim and tire-road interactions, an axisymmetric model and a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element tire model having four circumferential ribs are constructed in this investigation. With the aid of ABAQUS finite element analysis code, the static vertical loading procedure of the tire is simulated. The relationship between vertical load and vertical deflection, the contact patches with pressure distribution obtained by pressure-sensing pad experiment and finite element modeling are exhibited in this paper. It is shown that the results predicted by simulation are in good agreement with those of experiment. Moreover, the forces of belts and carcass obtained from finite element model are also presented when the tire is subjected to vertical load and contacted with rigid road. The reliability of the proposed finite element tire model and analysis methodology is verified.