The prediction methodology for tire’s high speed durability regulation test using a finite element method

In the tire industry, indoor accelerated life tests as regulations have been performed to ensure tire durability performances instead of outdoor field test. The finite element method has been widely used to minimize real test time and cost, but prediction method for accelerated life test had hardly been made in the past. This study presents a rational methodology to predict the tire’s failure life at the steel belt edge region due to high speed regulation test. Based on the finite element analysis and fatigue characteristic of rubber material, a method to determine exact failure time is proposed. The steady-state rolling analysis by FEM to get strain energy density range(ΔSED) at the steel belt edge region and fatigue test of rubber compound to obtain ΔSED- number of cycle (Nf) curve were used. The reliability of proposed prediction method was verified by real indoor test.