A Rolling Resistance Simulation of Tires Using Static Finite Element Analysis

Abstract A practical rolling resistance simulation method for tires using a static finite element method is presented that fulfills three requirements: (1) easy input data preparation, (2) shorter computation time, and (3) adequate accuracy. The method implements a static deflection analysis first and the stress and strain thus obtained, together with the loss factors of the materials determined separately, are used to estimate the energy dissipation of a rolling tire. First, the stress and strain profiles of all element groups that have the same cross‐sectional coordinates and are located along the circumferential direction are obtained. Second, hysteresis loops are computed by introducing a viscoelastic phase lag between the stress and strain profiles. The sum of the areas of the hysteresis loops is regarded as the dissipation energy density of the element group. The loss factors of the rubber materials are experimentally obtained and the effective loss tangents of the fiber‐reinforced rubber are determined by the homogenization theory of dynamic viscoelasticity. The rolling resistance simulation of a passenger radial tire using this approach accurately captures the trends of an actual tire.