Citation

Zhang X, Rakhejat S, Ganesan R. Heavy Vehicle Syst. 2004; 11(2): 133-154.

Affiliation

General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, London, Ont. N5Y 6L8, Canada

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A nonlinear finite element (FE) tyre model incorporating the nearly incompressible material property of the rubber block and the anisotropy of the layers is used to conduct a modal analysis of a selected truck tyre. The three-dimensional deflection patterns and the associated natural frequencies of the tyre with different inflation pressures are derived incorporating the pre-stress effects and the nonlinearities, The influences of the individual anisotropy-related structural parameters and the inflation pressure on the deflection patterns and the natural frequencies of the selected truck tyre structure have been investigated. The structural parameters considered in the modal analysis are the cord angles in each layer, the total number of belt layers and the amount of the twisted cords per unit width of each individual layer. The modal analysis is performed using the commercial software program ANSYS [registered trademark] . The application of the model in conjunction with the adequately measured material properties of the layers in belt and carcass casing can yield a quantitative modal analysis of a specific tyre. It is concluded that a tyre's vibration property, such as its natural frequencies, can be modified by varying the anisotropy-related structural parameters so as to improve the dynamic behaviour of a tyre in service.