Analysis of forced transient response for rotating tires using REF models

This paper presents a new approach for tire dynamic analysis. By using this method, transient response for rotating tires under various loading situations can be analyzed. The well-known model of ring on elastic foundations (REF) is utilized to model tires. The general forced solution of undamped inextensible vibration is derived by the use of a modal expansion technique as well as Meirovitch modal analysis method. Closed form transient response for the stationary constant point load case is obtained; for the case of damped vibration, the response of rotating tire is formulated by using the first-order matrix perturbation theory together with Meirovitch modal analysis method. The effects of damping on the tire response are investigated. The developed method has been validated by comparison with direct numerical integration results. Combined with a contact or interface model, the proposed methodology can be used to model the tire dynamic responses under any given road profile.