ABSTRACT
In this paper, a nonlinear finite element tire model is used to conduct a parametric study on the shear stresses developed in the belt layers. The parametric study incorporates the structural and anisotropic material properties of the individual layers in a truck tire. The parameters considered include the cord angle and the number of cords per unit width of each layer and the aspect ratio. The influences of these parameters on the maximum shear stresses developed in the belt layers are investigated for a radial truck tire under specific loads. The analysis is performed using the ANSYS® software and the results are used to derive a more desirable set of structural parameters that can lead to lower peak shear stresses. From the results, it is concluded that a tire design based on the proposed parameters can considerably reduce the peak shear stresses in a loaded tire under specific inflation pressure and normal loads.
