A Three Dimensional Discretized Tire Model For Soft Soil Applications

Abstract

A significant number of studies address various aspects related to tire modeling; most are dedicated to the development of tire models for on-road conditions. Such models cover a wide range of resolutions and approaches, as required for specific applications. At one end of the spectrum are the very simple tire models, such as those employed in real-time vehicle dynamic simulations. At the other end of the spectrum are the very complex finite element models, such as those used in tire design. In between these extremes, various other models have been developed, at different levels of compromise between accuracy and computational efficiency. Existing tire models for off-road applications lag behind the on-road models. The main reason is the complexity added to the modeling due to the interaction with the soft soil. In such situations, one must account for the soil dynamics and its impact on the tire forces, in addition to those aspects considered for an on-road tire.

The goal of this project is to develop an accurate and comprehensive, while also efficient, off-road tire model for soft soil applications. The types of applications we target are traction, handling, and vehicle durability, as needed to support current army mobility goals. Thus, the proposed approach is to develop a detailed semi-analytical tire model for soft soil that utilizes the tire construction details and parallels existing commercially available on-road tire models. The novelty of this project relies in developing a three-dimensional three-layer tire model employing discrete lumped masses and in improving the tire-soil interface model. This will be achieved by enhancing the resolution of the tire model at the contact patch and by accounting for effects and phenomena not considered in existing models.