Modeling and analysis of all-season passenger car tire using finite element analysis

Abstract

The performance of the ground vehicle is directly affected by its tire characteristics. Tires are the main components of the vehicle that resist all forces and moments generated during contact with the ground. Therefore, it is significant to better understand the effect of all tire characteristics on the tire-road interactions such as cornering maneuvers. In this research work, a 4-groove Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tire size 235/55 R19 101H is designed and modeled using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Technique. All tire layers are modeled separately with the corresponding reinforcement rubber layers with detailed geometry. The tire model is then validated using static and dynamic tests at various operating conditions. To achieve the accurate performance of the passenger car tire, the tread rubber is modeled under various temperatures and analyzed using hyper-viscoelastic models. The tire-road characteristics including rolling resistance, cornering characteristics, and traction are explained and investigated.