Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical and Temperature Field for a Rolling Tire

A numerical procedure has been applied to analyze the temperature distribution in a rolling tire. A 3D finite element model of a rolling tire is established to simulate the mechanical field under the certain inflation pressure, loading and velocity condition. The thermal properties and loss factor of rubber are measured. The strain and the stress of nodes are fit by Fourier Series and are used to calculate the heat generation rate which is regarded as the nodal loading for thermal analysis. According to 3D FEM (finite element model), 2D finite element model is constructed to investigate the inner temperature field of a rolling tire. The heat concentration took place in shoulder and apex. The temperature in tread and shoulder was verified with the values obtained by rolling test on the MTS 860 RoadWheel. The result of FEA (finite element analysis) of temperature field is basically consistent with the experimental result.