ABSTRACT
Tires and rolling rubber wheels are plenty used in many applications and their analysis is often simplified as steady state motion, in which an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation provides an efficient framework for the numerical analysis using the Finite Element Method. While many nonlinearities due to the complex geometry, large deformations, and material properties must be taken into account, the proper modeling of rubber-like materials represents the most challenging task. Withinthe ALE-formulation, hyperelastic materials can be used, as the reference frame does not coincide with the material, and is not fixed in space. Nevertheless, for the consideration of inelastic materials, the internal variables have to be taken into account by means of streamlines.
In this contribution, the inelastic properties of rolling wheels are computed using a nonlinear viscoelastic formulation, based on the Bergström-Boyce model. The implementation takes into account the contribution of all points along a streamline. Therefore, the elastic and viscous contributions are obtained in a single step and no advection algorithm is required. Additionally, the energy dissipation is computed directly and the rolling resistance can be estimated. Numerical examples show the capabilities of this formulation. A discussion on the results obtained, important remarks and an outlook to further research close this presentation.
