Simulation analysis for landing process of aviation tires with ice overlay

In general, amphibious aircraft is subjected to challenges with liquid water freezing to the tires or atmospheric air-cooled icing in low-temperature environments. A finite element modeling method for aviation tires was proposed in this study in accordance with LAGRANGE mesh coupling curtain and rubber to investigate and evaluate the tires' icing adaptability of amphibious aircraft and ensure landing safety. The accuracy of the model was verified through simulation calculation, and the shape dimension achieved the maximum error of less than 1.7%. The dynamic response of the vertical ground impact for ice-free and ice-overlaid tires and that of the ground impact of tires during grounded skidding were simulated and analyzed through explicit dynamic analysis. The results of the simulation analysis suggested that the size of ice fragments showed a positive correlation with the ice thickness, and residual broken ice in the tread groove led to local stress concentration in the tread. And the tread rubber stress of the ice-overlaid aircraft tire of this type was less than the tensile strength of 27.8 MPa in the landing process, thus conforming to the required standards. Moreover, a friction-time curve was plotted to examine the impact of tires on the friction force during landings. •This study combines the safety risks of liquid water freezing and wind-induced ice formation on the tires of amphibious aircraft. It innovatively proposes the Simulation Analysis for Landing Process of Aviation Tires with Ice Overlay method.•A finite element modeling method for aviation tires was proposed in this study in accordance with LAGRANGE mesh coupling curtain and rubber to investigate and evaluate the tires' icing adaptability of amphibious aircraft and ensure landing safety.•The study simulated and analyzed the dynamic response of ice-covered tires during vertical impact and skidding. It found that residual ice in tread grooves caused localized stress concentration, and ice layers delayed peak friction between the tire and ground, with no significant link between friction trends and ice thickness.