Finite element estimation of hysteretic loss and rolling resistance of 3-D patterned tire

Some of energy supplied to the vehicle driven on road is dissipated through rolling tires due to the hysteretic loss of rubber compounds, so the hysteretic loss is considered as a sort of pseudo-force resisting the tire rolling. This paper is concerned with the numerical prediction of the hysteretic loss and the rolling resistance (RR) of 3-D periodic patterned tire. A 3-D periodic patterned tire model is constructed by copying 1-sector tire mesh in the circumferential direction. Strain cycles during one revolution are approximated by utilizing the 3-D static tire contact analysis, for which the strain values at Gaussian points in the elements which are sector-wise repeated in the same circular ring of elements are taken. The strain amplitude during one revolution of tire is determined by taking the maximum principal value of the half amplitudes of each strain components in the multi-axial state of strain. The hysteretic loss during one revolution is predicted in terms of the loss modulus of rubber compound and the maximum principal value of the half amplitudes of six strain components. Through the numerical experiments, the validity of the proposed prediction method is examined by comparing with the experiment and the dependence of RR on the tread pattern is also investigated.