Modelling and validation of agricultural tire-terrain interaction

Abstract

The use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and simulation software has been extensively used for many engineering applications. More precisely, computerized methods have paved way for accurately simulating tire-terrain interaction. By predicting forces, vibrations, and numerous physical effects, any industry with pneumatic tires can greatly reduce time, cost and effectively design and improve their machinery. The modelling and validation of a High Lug Farm Service (HLFS) agricultural tire is carried out in order to accurately predict tire-terrain interaction. In conjunction with the tire, two agricultural soils are modelled using Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method and calibrated to experimental results. An analytical off-road rigid ring model is used to model the HLFS tire’s interaction with a surface. The soil dynamics of the HLFS tire running on soil is researched and compared to experimental results. Steering characteristics including self-aligning moment, rolling resistance coefficients, relaxation lengths were obtained under various operating conditions.