Implementation of a finite element modelling strategy for the prediction of aircraft tyre response

This paper presents the finite element modelling (FEM) strategy to identify the structural response of aircraft tyres under quasi-static and taxiing load conditions. The tyre FEM was developed to simulate the aircraft tyre/ground interaction for a range of inflation pressures under vertical, lateral, longitudinal, torsional, yawed and un-yawed rolling. A thorough comparison for validation purposes is made between the test and simulation data extracted from the FEM. The reinforcement plies of the tyres are modelled in a computationally efficient manner whilst also considering the variable fibre volume fractions and ply discontinuities within the tyre. The accurate material characterisation at coupon level combined with the overall modelling approach allowed most simulated responses to match the experimental stiffness within 12% against best fit curves of similar tyre types and within 5% for the majority of test comparisons.