Development and simulation of a finite element model for tyre-road interaction
Keinan, Omar (2026)
Diplomityö
2026
School of Energy Systems, Konetekniikka
Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026061268159
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026061268159
Tiivistelmä
This thesis focused on the development and simulation of a simplified finite element model for tyre-road interaction under static loading conditions. A 385/55R22.5 truck trailer tyre was modelled in SolidWorks and analysed in ANSYS Mechanical using nonlinear finite element analysis. The tyre model included simplified rubber, carcass, and steel belt reinforcement layers represented using hyperelastic and orthotropic material models.
The simulations included tyre inflation, vertical compression, lateral displacement, and torsional loading analyses. The main results studied were tyre deformation, contact pressure distribution, stress distribution, and reaction force response.
The results showed that the finite element model was able to reproduce the main deformation and contact behaviour expected from a pneumatic truck tyre. Under vertical compression, the tyre developed an elliptical-rectangular contact patch with the highest contact pressure concentrated near the centre of the tread region. Increasing inflation pressure increased tyre stiffness, while increasing vertical displacement increased tyre deformation and reaction force response. The lateral displacement and torsional loading analyses also showed stable tyre-road contact behaviour under more complex loading conditions.
The simulation results followed behaviour commonly reported in other published tyre finite element studies. Although several simplifications were introduced to reduce computational cost, the model still produced physically reasonable results throughout the simulations.
The simulations included tyre inflation, vertical compression, lateral displacement, and torsional loading analyses. The main results studied were tyre deformation, contact pressure distribution, stress distribution, and reaction force response.
The results showed that the finite element model was able to reproduce the main deformation and contact behaviour expected from a pneumatic truck tyre. Under vertical compression, the tyre developed an elliptical-rectangular contact patch with the highest contact pressure concentrated near the centre of the tread region. Increasing inflation pressure increased tyre stiffness, while increasing vertical displacement increased tyre deformation and reaction force response. The lateral displacement and torsional loading analyses also showed stable tyre-road contact behaviour under more complex loading conditions.
The simulation results followed behaviour commonly reported in other published tyre finite element studies. Although several simplifications were introduced to reduce computational cost, the model still produced physically reasonable results throughout the simulations.