Evaluation of a tyre tread pattern stiffness using FEA

Abstract

This paper deals with an FEM simulation of a multi-purpose tyre. It is focused on the tyre tread pattern lateral stiffness under static conditions. Its behaviour under given radial and lateral loads and its stiffening using connecting bridges are simulated. A tyre is a complex composite composed of different rubber materials and textile or steel reinforcements. Rubber materials are described using hyperelastic models in the analyses. FEM software MSC Marc/Mentat is employed as a calculation tool and its various functionalities are utilized for a description of the tyre models. In the last step, calculated stiffnesses of all the tread patterns were evaluated and compared to each other. © 2019 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland.