Finite Element Analysis of Performance for Radial Tires, Part I: Model, Material Constants

Abstract

As an economical, resultful and direct method, finite element method has been used broadly to simulate tire performance. However, much of the published research shows few detail model or no material constants. It is difficult for readers to judge if the result is reliable. To ensure simulation results are credible, the material constants, simulation model and analysis method must be dependable. In the current work, the three-dimensional radial tire models, finite element models of free and ground-touching tires, were built and showed in detail. The material constants measured from experiments in a tire factory were published. Using the well-known finite element simulation software ANSYS, the current research found some interesting results which will be presented in Part II.