Tire-ice model development for the simulation of rubber compounds effect on tire performance

The material properties of the rubber compounds, which are highly dependent on temperature, have a vital role in the tire behavior. A comprehensive study on the effect of the rubber properties on tire performance, for different temperatures, as well as different road conditions is required to adequately predict the performance of tires on ice.In this study, a theoretical model has been developed for the tire-ice interaction. The temperature changes obtained from the model are used to calculate the height of the water film created by the heat generated due to the friction force. Next, the viscous friction coefficient at the contact patch is obtained. By using the thermal balance equation at the contact patch, the dry friction is obtained. Knowing the friction coefficients for the dry and wet regions, the equivalent friction coefficient is calculated. The model has been validated using experimental results for three similar tires with different rubber compounds properties. The model developed can be used to predict the temperature changes at the contact patch, the tire friction force, the areas of wet and dry regions, the height of the water film for different ice temperatures, different normal load, etc.