Appraisal of numerical based finite element method to synthesise the wheel-obstacle collision dynamics using a single-wheel tester

As a very substantial aspect of vehicle dynamics and vibrational controlling, it is essential to ascertain the role of tyre-obstacle collision kinetics. Ride comfort assessments are pivotal in predicting the non-linear deformation, particularly when traversing large road obstacles. The present study focuses on the assessment of tyres travelling over different obstacles using a well-equipped soil bin facility and a single-wheel tester. The vertically and longitudinally oriented load cells were responsible for measuring the vertical and longitudinal force variations. Additionally, a finite element tyre model was developed specially for this purpose using explicit integration in ABAQUS ™. It was found that with the increase of the resonant amplitude of spindle force response as well as the tyre deformation becomes greater in both longitudinal and vertical directions. It was revealed that the new proposed model can serve as a functional alternative to classical modelling tools for the prediction of nonlinear wheel dynamics.