Heat Build-Up and Rolling Resistance Analysis of a Solid Tire: Experimental Observation and Numerical Simulation with Thermo-Mechanical Coupling Method

Abstract

The hysteresis of rubber materials due to deformation and viscoelasticity is the main reason for the heat build-up (HBU) and rolling resistance (RR) of the rolling tire. It is important to realize the high precision prediction of HBU and RR of tire for the optimal design of high-performance fuel-saving tire. In this work, a thermo-mechanical coupling method based on Endurica and Abaqus co-simulation was used to predict the steady-state temperature distribution and RR of three finite element models (Lagrangian–Eulerian model, Lagrangian model, and Plane Strain model) of the solid tires under different loads and rotating speeds. The simulation results were compared with the experimental results. The Kraus self-heating model was utilized in the thermo-mechanical coupling method, which realized the quantitative relationship between the dynamic loss modulus of rubber and the loading conditions (temperature, strain, and strain rate). Special attention was paid to the determination of the material parameters in the Kraus self-heating model. The comparison between simulation results and experimental results shows that the Lagrangian model had the highest prediction accuracy, and the average prediction errors of the steady-state surface temperature and RR under three loading conditions were 3.4% and 7.9%, respectively. The Lagrangian–Eulerian model came in the second with average errors of 9.7% and 11.1%, respectively. The Plane Strain model had the worst prediction accuracy, with the average errors of 21.4% and 44.6%, respectively. In terms of the simulation time, the Plane Strain model had the lowest cost, and the average calculation time was 1143 s. The Lagrangian–Eulerian model took the second place, with an average calculation time of 2621 s. The Lagrangian model had the highest computation cost, with an average time of 5597 s. The comparison between the simulation results and the experimental results verified the effectiveness of the thermo-mechanical coupling analysis method. The methods of three finite element models of the solid tires in this work can provide some reference for the optimization design of elastomeric components (Lagrangian model), pneumatic tires (Lagrangian–Eulerian model), and non-pneumatic tires (Plane Strain model).

Research on the influencing factors of hysteresis heat of rubber roller in battery pole piece calendering

“…At the same time, the thermo‐mechanical coupling analysis method was used to simulate the rolling process of solid tires under the same loading. The results indicated that the error of surface temperature rise between the experimental results 15 and the simulated results was only 9.7%. This proves the correctness and rationality of the thermo‐mechanical coupling analysis method, which provides a basis for analyzing the hysteresis temperature rise of the calendering rubber roller in this work.…”

“…Meanwhile, due to the low thermal conductivity of the rubber, these rubber rollers will have a higher hysteresis temperature rise. 15 The hysteresis temperature rise of the roller will change the loss factor of the rubber material, thereby changing the rolling resistance of the roller in the calendering process, and 20% of the total energy loss of the roller is caused by the rolling resistance, so the hysteresis temperature rise will increase the energy loss during the calendering process. 16 The increase in steady-state temperature is regarded as a precursor of fatigue failure of rubber materials, 17 and the higher temperature could make the rubber material age and shorten the fatigue life.…”

“…Elastic deformation and viscous deformation of rolls will occur under alternating loads, in which the viscous deformation will be absorbed into the internal heat of the rubber. Meanwhile, due to the low thermal conductivity of the rubber, these rubber rollers will have a higher hysteresis temperature rise 15 . The hysteresis temperature rise of the roller will change the loss factor of the rubber material, thereby changing the rolling resistance of the roller in the calendering process, and 20% of the total energy loss of the roller is caused by the rolling resistance, so the hysteresis temperature rise will increase the energy loss during the calendering process 16 .…”

Review on Heat Generation of Rubber Composites

“…The Lagrangian finite element model has the best prediction accuracy and maximum computational time. The three models are roughly the same as the experimental data and simulation results [ 87 ].…”

Modeling and Verification of Rolling Resistance Torque of High-Speed Rubber Track Assembly Considering Hysteresis Loss

“…Combined with the relationship between rubber thermal parameters and temperature, it is used to predict tire rolling resistance and transient temperature distribution. The quantitative effects of thermal conductivity and loss factors on tire temperature rise and rolling resistance under different loading displacement and rotational speed conditions are simulated [ 12 , 13 ]. For ME-Wheel mechanical elastic wheels, Zhu et al carried out a force balance state analysis.…”