Finite element analysis of tire traveling performance using anisotropic frictional interaction model

• The anisotropic friction model was used to FE analysis of tire traveling.
• The trafficability of single tire under certain slippage and slip angle were investigated.
• The effect of the orthotropy of frictional interactions was shown.
• The difference in the forward and backward traveling was shown.

The traveling performance of off-the-road vehicles, such as construction machinery and exploration rovers, significantly depends on the interaction between the ground and the traveling mechanism, since inelastic ground deformation and frictional sliding phenomena are induced by the vehicle’s movement. In general, a tread surface causes anisotropic frictional interaction behavior on a macroscopic scale. In this study, an acceptable frictional interaction model was implemented to finite element method to rationally examine the anisotropic frictional interaction behavior between the tire and the ground. Finite element analysis of the single tire traveling performance, including certain slippage and side slip (skid), was then carried out to examine the effect of the anisotropic frictional interaction on the numerical results for the drawbar-pull and side force.