Machine-Learning based tool to predict Tire Noise using both Tire and Pavement Parameters

Abstract

Tire-Pavement Interaction Noise (TPIN) becomes the main noise source contributor for passenger vehicles traveling at speeds above 40 kph. Therefore, it represents one of the main contributors to noise environmental pollution in residential areas nearby highways. TPIN has been subject of exhaustive studies since the 1970s. Still, almost 50 years later, there is still not an accurate way to model it. This is a consequence of a large number of noise generation mechanisms involved in this phenomenon, and their high complexity nature. It is acknowledged that the main noise mechanisms involve tire vibration, and air pumping within the tire tread and pavement surface. Moreover, TPIN represents the only vehicle noise source strongly affected by an external factor such as pavement roughness. For the last decade, new machine learning algorithms to model TPIN have been implemented. However, their development relay on experimental data, and do not provide strong physical insight into the problem. This research studied the correct configuration of such tools. More specifically, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) configurations were studied. Their implementation was based on the problem requirements (acoustic sound pressure prediction). Moreover, a customized neuron configuration showed improvements on the ANN TPIN prediction capabilities. During the second stage of this thesis, tire noise test was undertaken for different tires at different pavements surfaces on the Virginia Tech SMART road. The experimental data was used to develop an approach to account for the pavement profile when predicting TPIN. Finally, the new ANN configuration, along with the approach to account for pavement roughness were complemented using previous work to obtain what is the first reasonable accurate and complete tool to predict tire noise. This tool uses as inputs: 1) tire parameters, 2) pavement parameters, and 3) vehicle speed. Tire noise narrowband spectra for a frequency range of 400-1600 Hz is obtained as a result.