In-Plane Flexible Beam on Elastic Foundation With Combined Sidewall Stiffness Tire Model for Heavy-Loaded Off-Road Tire

Abstract

Combining the flexible carcass beam and the radial sidewall element, flexible beam on elastic foundation with combined sidewall stiffness tire model is proposed for heavy-loaded off-road tire with a large section ratio. The circumferential vibration of flexible carcass is modeled as Euler beam and the influence of inflation pressure on the circumferential vibration of flexible carcass is investigated with the modal experiment and theoretical modeling. The structural stiffness caused by the sidewall curvature and pretension stiffness caused by the inflation pressure is combined for the radial sidewall element. The influence of the sidewall structural parameters on the combined stiffness of sidewall and modal resonant frequency is researched and discussed. The nonlinear combined stiffness of sidewall is investigated with respect to the radial sidewall deformation. Experimental and theoretical results show that: (1) the combined stiffness of sidewall can character the pretension stiffness caused by inflation pressure and the structural stiffness led by the sidewall curvature and material properties and (2) the combined stiffness of sidewall is nonlinear with respect to the radial sidewall deformation, which is prominent with high inflation pressure. Taking the flexibility characteristic of tire carcass and the nonlinear stiffness of sidewall into consideration, flexible beam on elastic foundation with combined sidewall stiffness tire model is suitable for the heavy-loaded off-road tire with a large section ratio or tires under impulsive loading and large deformation.