Improved FEM simulation model for tire–soil interaction

To investigate the interaction of tires on soft soils a lot of simulation method have been established. With the increasing capacity of numerical computers the finite element method (FEM) has gained rising importance as well in this field. But even though in recent time FEM modeling of tire–soil interaction has undergone a fast development, there are still improvements to be made for higher accuracy and reliability. The paper deals with a further development of tire–soil simulation with special view to an according two-dimensional (2-D) FEM model of an air-filled tire. In contrast to the existing 2-D tire models the new model does not try to find a mathematical description for the global reaction of tires, but is based on a mechanical reproduction of the basic components of a tire. Here the reproduction of the carcass as the most challenging part for a 2-D model is described in detail. Results from simulations with the new tire model on even and uneven roads that are compared to according test results prove the abilities of this model. Further results point out the influence of tire inflation reduction on soft soils with special view to the different effect on different soils.