Finite Element Analysis for Temperature Distribution Prediction of Steady Rolling Tires with Detailed Tread Pattern

Abstract

The temperature distribution of steady state rolling tires with detailed tread blocks is numerically predicted using the three dimensional full patterned tire model. A three dimensional periodic patterned tire model is constructed by copying 1-sector mesh in the circumferential direction. Using the static tire contact analysis, the strain cycles during one revolution are approximated with the strains at Guassian points of the elements which are sector-wise repeated within the same circular ring of elements, by neglecting the tire rolling effect. Based upon the multi-axial fatigue theory, the maximum principal strain is used to represent the combined effect of six strain components on the hysteretic loss. In the following, the deformation due to the inflation and vertical load is calculated using ABAQUS. Then heat generation rate in each element is calculated using an in-house code. Lastly, temperature distribution is calculated using ABAQUS again. Through the numerical experiments, the validity of the proposed prediction method is examined by comparing with the experiment and the temperature distribution of a patterned tire model is compared with those of the main-grooved simple tire model.