Finite element analysis for radial tire contact problems

According to the actual structure of 185/70R14C radial passenger tire, which is included the contact non-linearity between tire and rim, taken advantage of MSC.MARC code, an axisymmetric and a three-dimensional finite element analysis models of tire are built in present numerical study. Firstly, using the axisymmetric model, the rim is fixed in tire, along with the tire being inflated. Secondly, in order to reduce the cost of calculation, with the help of the advanced method of axisymmetric model to three-dimensional model, the problems of tire-pavement contact and the steady rolling of tire at different speeds are analyzed. The distribution of contact normal force at tire-rim interface and the distribution of contact friction force of contact traction between tire and rigid pavement are presented, and the vertical load-deflection curve is also predicted in this paper.