Study of the Pneumatic Tyre Behaviour on Dry and Rigid Road by Finite Element Method

The paper presents a physical tyre model capable of describing the complete pneumatic tyre behaviour during steady and transient states. Given the radial deflection, the longitudinal and lateral slip, the camber angle, the inner pressure and the mechanical parameters describing the tyre structure, the model returns the vertical load, the longitudinal and lateral forces, the self aligning torque. Particular attention has been devoted to the computation (by f.e.m.) of tyre carcass and tread deformations; it is explained how side force increases by moderate braking at constant slip angle. An experimental verification validates the model, although more studies could be needed to improve model effectiveness.