Parameterization and modelling of large off-road tyres for ride analyses: Part 1 – Obtaining parameterization data

Multi-body vehicle dynamic simulations play a significant role in the design and development process of off-road vehicles. These simulations require tyre models to describe the forces and moments, which are generated in the tyre-road contact patch. All external forces acting on the vehicle are either generated in the tyre–road interface or are due to aerodynamic effects, which can be neglected at typical off-road driving speeds. The accuracy of the tyre model describing the forces in the tyre–road interface is thus of exceptional importance. The parameterization of most tyre models relies on some experimental test data that is used to extract the necessary information to fit model parameters. Acquiring the test data, with sufficient accuracy, is often the biggest challenge in the parameterization process. Published data for large off-road tyres is virtually non-existent. This paper describes different methods to acquire the required parameterization data. Experimental measurements are conducted on a 16.00R20 Michelin XZL tyre. Laboratory tests, as well as field tests, over discrete obstacles and uneven hard surfaces were conducted. The paper presents an extensive set of parameterization and validation test data on a large off-road tyre that can be used by researchers to develop and validate tyre models.