Title: Optimisation of geometry and material properties of a non-pneumatic tyre for reducing rolling resistance

Authors: Mallikarjun Veeramurthy; Jaehyung Ju; Lonny L. Thompson; Joshua D. Summers

Addresses: Gibbs Sports Amphibians Inc., 50 Corporate Drive, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA ' Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29643-0921, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29643-0921, USA

Abstract: The effect of geometric and material parameters of a non-pneumatic tyre (NPT) on overall performance of the NPT is investigated. Parametric studies, design of experiments (DOE), and sensitivity analyses are conducted with a hyper-viscoelastic finite element model to determine effects of design variables: i) the thickness of spokes; ii) the shear band thickness and iii) shear modulus of polyurethane (PU), on rolling resistance, vertical stiffness, and contact pressure. A response surface model is generated from DOE and is used to find optimum design values for minimising rolling resistance of an NPT under constraints on vertical deflection and contact pressure. Shear modulus of PU and the shear band thickness are the most important design parameters to affect rolling resistance, vertical stiffness, and contact pressure. The optimised values show that the NPT has low rolling resistance with a higher shear modulus of PU and a higher shear band thickness associated with a lower shear deformation while rolling.

Keywords: NPT; non-pneumatic tyres; rolling resistance; hyperelasticity; viscoelasticity; DOE; design of experiments; optimisation; geometry; material properties; vehicle design; finite element method; FEM; modelling; spoke thickness; shear band thickness; shear modulus; polyurethane; vertical stiffness; contact pressure; response surface methodology; RSM; vertical deflection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2014.064567

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2014 Vol.66 No.2, pp.193 - 216

Received: 10 Oct 2012
Accepted: 20 Sep 2013
Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article