Methodology for Predicting the Durability of Aged Tire Sidewall Under Actual Driving Conditions

This article presents new rational methodology to predict the life for actual driving condition of an aged tire sidewall, and how to judge durability for fatigue life. Generally, life prediction methods in previous studies have presented simple lifetime under normal rolling state using a strain, stress, and virgin property, but this paper used an actual driving pattern, strain energy density and aged rubber property to predict accelerated test results. For this purpose, steady-state rolling analysis and fatigue test are applied to predict the durability life of tire under actual driving conditions. A finite element model of a tire which can replicate the aged tire sidewall was generated, and the driving distance of the tire was calculated using the dynamic rolling radius. The rate of acceleration, deceleration, and cruising is calculated by applying the driving patterns of peak hours of major cities where cruising time is low due to high traffic volume. This paper contains all procedure and methodology for predicting the durability of aged tire sidewall such as method to predict life, finite element analysis, and application of aging rubber.