Title: The effect of tyre and suspension dynamics on wheel spindle forces

Authors: C.W. Mousseau, M.W. Sayers

Addresses: The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150, USA. ' The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150, USA

Abstract: This paper examines how changes in the tyre and suspension impact the dynamic spindle force response of an automotive tyre rolling over an obstacle in the roadway. The investigation is conducted with a simple vehicle dynamics simulation coupled to a comprehensive 2D dynamic nonlinear finite tyre model. The tyre model uses an inextensible, circular membrane to approximate the shape, and an empirical, nonlinear term to account for forces that result from the elastic deformation of the sidewall. Both the tyre structure and contact between the tyre and roadway are modelled with the finite element method. This approach allows the tyre model to reproduce the tyre response accurately during large deformations in a computationally efficient manner. This paper presents a brief overview of the models and their limited validation of the tyre model. Included in this discussion is a comparison between measured and simulated tyre contact forces for the case of a slowly rolling tyre. The effect of vehicle speed, suspension stiffness, suspension damping, tyre mass, tyre damping, and tyre inflation pressure on the spindle forces is also presented.

Keywords: suspension dynamics; tyre models; vehicle dynamics; spindle forces; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1999.054627

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1999 Vol.6 No.1/2/3/4, pp.46 - 65

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

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