Title: Development of a computationally efficient rolling truck tyre model using part-composite approach and its verification

Authors: Shahram Shokouhfar; Subhash Rakheja; Moustafa El-Gindy

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada ' Department of Automotive, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Abstract: A computationally efficient structural model of a truck tyre in rolling contact with a rigid road surface is presented for predicting its dynamic responses. The rubber matrix and fibre-reinforced layers employed in comprehensive structural models are lumped together and represented as a composite layered configuration of shell elements using the part-composite approach in LS-DYNA. This approach facilitates definition of the integration rule through the thickness of the multi-layered element via defining stacks of plies with pertinent material properties, thicknesses and fibre orientations. The validity of the proposed simplified tyre model is subsequently demonstrated through comparisons of the simulation results with those obtained from a comprehensive tyre model as well as with the reported experimental data in terms of vertical force-deflection, cornering force/moment and vibration characteristics. The proposed methodology of integrating several single-layered elements of the tyre structure into one multi-layered element resulted in substantial reductions in the total number of elements in the model and thereby significant improvement in the computational efficiency.

Keywords: simplified tyre models; multi-layered tyre structure; rolling tyre properties; part-composite; finite element method; FEM; LS-DYNA; truck tyres; material properties; thickness; fibre orientation; simulation; vertical deflection; cornering force; vibration; rolling tyre models; 3D modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2016.077929

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2016 Vol.11 No.2, pp.142 - 164

Received: 18 Feb 2016
Accepted: 04 Mar 2016
Published online: 22 Jul 2016 *

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