Measurement and identification of pneumatic tyre parameters

This report deals with the measurement and identification of important parameters of various tyre models. Being a necessary step in the process of tyre related simulations, tyre testing is an important subject. In particular, making the test procedure simpler, more efficient and test results more accurate is what explored the most. For this project, after extensive studies on tyre modelling and testing, two problems were chosen to tackle. The first problem is tyre structural parameter identification being too difficult to carry out and time consuming, tyre modal testing in particular. The second problem is the usage of simple tyre models is limited due to they are normally parameterized on expensive professional tyre testing machines which are not commonly found in normal labs. In this study, it focuses on the identification of longitudinal relaxation length. In order to deal with the first problem, a convenient and effective approach of extracting tyre modal parameters is established. Compared with the conventional multi-degree curve fitting method, this new developed approach improves the efficiency and simplifies the curve fitting process dramatically while still maintaining adequate accuracy. In terms of solving the second problem, the development of a tyre relaxation length test is initiated. Virtual simulations using Matlab/Simulink have been carried out which has verified its principle. Feasibility, equipment design and the proposed test procedure of the practical test will also be discussed.