Finite element stress analysis of the reinforced tire contact problem

Abstract An updated Lagrangian finite element contact formulation is developed for the stress analysis of reinforced tires under inflation and in contact. The effective material properties in each finite element are determined as reinforced composites by considering the bending effect of reinforced cords. The numerical result shows the stress concentration between reinforced layers as an interpretation of the separation of steel-belted layers in tires. The result also shows the variation of the stress level with respect to the angle of reinforced cords.