Computational Analysis of a South African Mobile Trailer-Type Medium Sized Tyre Test Rig

Abstract

To support the South African National Defence Force with their vehicle mobility needs, the CSIR has begun characterising tyres by using a medium, trailer-type, tyre test rig. Two different Pacejka tyre models were generated using two independent methods and it was necessary to validate the tyre models against physical tests. The computational simulations gave partial credit to the tyre models. However, the dynamic lane change results were in poor agreement with the simulations, although the two Pacejka models were in good agreement with each other. The disagreement questioned the traditional tyre characterisation method. It was also necessary to determine how the Pacejka tyre models compared to the physical tyre in the vertical direction, by conducting Belgian paving runs. The one model performed better than the other, although these models are not suited for high frequency vertical dynamics.