Title: A model for the radical dynamic behaviour of pneumatic tyres

Authors: R.J. Hooker

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia

Abstract: A simple physical model is developed to represent the radial dynamic properties of a pneumatic tyre, based on the determination of parameters using a drum-type testing machine. In the testing machine an electro-hydraulic servo system applies motion to the wheel and enables independent control and mean deflection, displacement amplitude, frequency, waveform and |road| speed. Wheel motion and tyre-to-drum force are measured. Results of tests over ranges of vibration amplitude and frequency, road speed and tyre pressure are presented for a typical passenger car cross-ply tyre and a radial-ply (textile) tyre of the same size. For sinusoidal motion the tyre-to-drum force is closely sinusoidal, enabling a linear representation to be adopted. The radial dynamic stiffness with the wheel rotating is substantially less than that with the wheel stationary. The stiffness when rotating is relatively independent of road speed and vibration amplitude, but is dependent on frequency and pressure. Damping in the tyre is small. The tyre model consists of a series-parallel spring-damper arrangement which fits the observed behaviour, including the separate contributions to stiffness of pneumatic and casing effects.

Keywords: tyres; tyre mechanics; dynamic behaviour; modelling; radial stiffness; vehicle suspension; vehicle dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1980.061233

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1980 Vol.1 No.4, pp.361 - 372

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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