Fatigue Life Prediction for Cord-Rubber Composite Tires Using a Global-Local Finite Element Method

Abstract

A failure analysis, based on fracture mechanics, may be useful for predicting the lifetime of a cord-reinforced rubber composite pneumatic tire. This paper presents a new three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) local model to calculate the energy release rate at the belt edge region. The new local model uses a three-dimensional (3D) Finite Element Modeling (FEM) fracture analysis based on a steady-state rolling assumption, in conjunction with a global-local technique in ABAQUS. Within the local model, a J-integral variation study is performed in the crack region. This consists of a prediction of the crack propagation direction and a mesh density analysis of the crack model. Furthermore, the study is used to determine the crack growth rate analysis. This study assumes that a flaw exists inside the tire, in the local model, due to a mechanical inhomogeneity introduced in the manufacturing of the tire. This paper also considers how different driving conditions, such as free-rolling, braking and traction, contribute to the detrimental effects of belt separation in tire failure.

Durability prediction of an ultra-large mining truck tire using an enhanced finite element method

“…Subsequently, FCGR data were generated based on equation (2) and plotted on a double logarithmic scale as a function of peak tearing energy. Figure 3 shows the FCGR for both the loading and unloading strokes of the experiment.…”

“…For a known crack of relatively large size, an explicit crack feature can be introduced in a finite element (FE) model to obtain the propagation life based on the crack tip strain energy release rate using the theory of fracture mechanics. [1][2][3][4] Although approximate, Na¨ser et al 5 have shown that tire durability predictions cannot solely be dependent on fracture mechanics parameters but also on other factors, such as strain-induced crystallization (SIC).…”

Shape design of a tire contour based on approximation model

“…In terms of durability, failure most likely initiates when the separation occurs at both steelbelt edge and shoulder zone [14][15][16]. Therefore, a quantitative analysis based on strain energy density is suggested in which both stress and strain can be considered simultaneously in an effort to reflect actual displacement on the interface [17,18]. Hence, the durability of a tire can be relatively evaluated by the strain energy density.…”

Global-Local Finite Element Analysis for Predicting Separation in Cord-Rubber Composites of Radial Truck Tires

“…Finite element method (FEM), extended finite element method (XFEM), and Open Journal of Modelling and Simulation global-local finite element method (GLFEM) are powerful tools for solving the boundary value problems. Tire durability due to large local loading, stiffness discontinuities, and production flaws is frequently related to the fracture of tire components such as belt separation, carcass ply separation, or lug cracking in radial truck tire [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. Influence factors on fracture and durability of rubber material and tires are manifold.…”

“…Yan et al [8] have studied for the endurance of radial truck tires with finite element modeling by using two approaches: stress analysis parameter approach and tire structure parameter approach. Han et al [3] and Jeong et al [4] performed a failure analysis of truck tires based on fracture mechanics, using a global-local finite element model. The suggested model has proved effective in a variety of analysis for the prediction of tire lifetime.…”