Abstract:

Established a finite-element (FE) model for a tire with multilayer composite structure as a part of a vehicle-crash simulation-model in a condition of 40% offset vehicle collision for a 165R 14LT tire, taking account of the tire being a force transmission path. Selected four modeling key parameters as the reverse objects, which including the diameter of steel cord, the cross section area of carcass fiber cord, the elastic modulus and the pretension force of tire. Found optimum of the key parameters by using the FE model of tire to simulate the tire tread, sidewall colloid, triangle rubber, and cord. Contrasted the simulations from the FE model with the results from the tire impact tests with radial drop-hammer. The results show that the accuracy of the acceleration curve
of the left B-pillar root increases 7.3% when using the model to simulate the 40% offset vehicle crash. These verify that the tire FE method can improve the precision of the simulation for the 40% offset vehicle crash.

Key words: automobile safety, 40% offset collision, tires, force transmission path, radial stiffness of tires, computer parameter reverse