A Parametric Study on the Steady State Rolling Behaviour of a Steel-belted Radial Tyre.

This paper describes the development of a three-dimensional finite element model for the modelling of a 155/65R 13 steel-belted tyre under inflation pressure, vertical static (footprint) load, and steady state rolling. The model was created for the ABAQUS/standard code and used to carry out a series of parametric studies. The main purpose was to examine the effect of some structural and operational parameters including type of body and cap plies cords, cord belt angle, and friction coefficient between tyre and road on the mechanical behaviour of the tyre under both static and rolling conditions. It is shown that the belt angle is the most important constructional variable among the selected parameters that affect the tyre behaviour, significantly. The changes of friction coefficient have had great influence on tyre variables at contact zone, e.g., pressure field and relative shear between the tread elements and road as well. The accuracy and reliability of the results obtained in this simulation were also confirmed by comparing two deformational characteristics of the tyre (static deflection and free rolling perimeter) with those of two commercial tyres.