The modelling and simulation of vehicle handling Part 3: Tyre modelling

Abstract

This is the third in a series of four papers (Parts 1 to 4) looking at the application of computer-based analysis methods to model vehicles and simulate vehicle handling. The material contained in these papers is based on a study carried out in order to investigate the influence of suspension and tyre modelling on the outputs predicted by vehicle handling simulations. The papers deal with analysis methods, vehicle modelling (both in the previous Issue), tyre modelling and handling simulation. In this paper an overview of the use of tyre models in vehicle dynamics is provided. This is followed by a more detailed description of three tyre modelling approaches that can be used for handling simulations. A description is also provided of a computer-based modelling system where FORTRAN routines represent the various models and a computer model of a tyre test rig is used to interrogate the models and data before integrating these into a full vehicle handling simulation. The use of this system to compare the accuracy of the tyre models under consideration is also presented. The examples used to illustrate the concepts explained throughout this series of papers have been generated using the ADAMS (Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems) program.