Title: Finite element modelling of a pneumatic tyre interacting with rigid road and deformable terrain

Authors: Chrysostomos-Alexandros Bekakos; George Papazafeiropoulos; Dan J. O'Boy; Jan Prins

Addresses: Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, LE11 3TU, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK ' Department of Structural Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9, Iroon Polytechniou St., 15780 Zografou, Athens, Greece ' Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, LE11 3TU, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK ' Jaguar Land Rover, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire CV35 0RR, UK

Abstract: In this study the dynamic interaction between a pneumatic P235/75R17 tyre and a rigid and/or deformable surface is analysed using the finite element method. After a footprint analysis of the tyre, two models were developed: a) tyre rolling on rigid road with bumps; b) tyre rolling on a deformable terrain, appropriate for off-road vehicle handling. In the first model, a steady-state transport analysis is performed to obtain the free rolling conditions of the tyre, which are then used to simulate the impact of the tyre on a rigid bump, typical of a road cleat or speedbump. In the second model, the transient rolling response of the tyre on a soft cohesive soil layer was simulated under towed and driven conditions. It is shown that the dynamic response of the rolling tyre with off-road terrains is inherently complex and depends on significantly different parameters from that of the on-road tyres.

Keywords: pneumatic tyres; finite element method; FEM; steady state transport; tyre-bump impact; tyre-soil interaction; terramechanics; footprint analysis; deformable terrain; towed wheels; driven wheels; modelling; rigid roads; road bumps; off-road vehicles; vehicle handling; simulation; road cleats; speedbumps; soft soil; dynamic response; on-road tyres.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVP.2017.083359

International Journal of Vehicle Performance, 2017 Vol.3 No.2, pp.142 - 166

Received: 09 Apr 2016
Accepted: 10 Jul 2016
Published online: 24 Mar 2017 *

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