Finite element modelling of a pneumatic tyre interacting with rigid road and deformable terrain

In this study, the dynamic interaction between a pneumatic P235/75R17 tyre and a rigid and/or deformable rolling surface is analysed using the finite element method. After a footprint analysis of the tyre, two models were developed: (a) tyre rolling on rigid road with bumps and (b) tyre rolling on the surface of a soft soil layer, appropriate for off-road vehicle handling. In the first model, a steady-state transport analysis is performed to obtain the free rolling conditions of the tyre, which are then used to simulate the impact of the tyre on a rigid bump, typical of a road cleat or speedbump. In the second model, the transient rolling response of the tyre on a soft cohesive soil layer was simulated under towed and driven conditions. Along with a concise literature review and detailed description of the numerical models considered, various response quantities along with deformed geometries are provided throughout the text. It is finally shown that the dynamic response of the rolling tyre and its interaction with the deformable soil is inherently complex and depends on many parameters, whereas it is proven that the overall performance of the off-road tyres depends on significantly different parameters from that of the on-road tyres.