A Simplified Analysis of the Tire-Tread Contact Problem using Displacement Potential Based Finite-Difference Technique

• DOI: 10.3970/cmes.2009.044.035
• Publication Date: 2009-04-01
• Authors: Sabbir Ahmed; S. K. Deb Nath

The paper presents a simplified analysis of stresses and deformations at critical sections of a tire-tread. Displacement potential formulation is used in conjunction with the finite-difference method to model the present contact problem. The solution of the problem is obtained for two limiting cases of the contact boundary - one allows the lateral slippage and the other conforms to the no-slip condition along the lateral direction. The influential effects of tire material and tread aspect-ratio are discussed. The reliability and accuracy of the solution is also discussed in light of comparison made with the usual computational approach.