68 Int. J. Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2016 Development of a rolling truck tyre model using an automatic model regeneration algorithm Shahram Shokouhfar* and Subhash Rakheja Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Email: shahram.shokouhfar@concordia.ca Email: subhash.rakheja@concordia.ca *Corresponding author Moustafa El-Gindy Department of Automotive, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Email: moustafa.el-gindy@uoit.ca Abstract: A three-dimensional finite element model of a rolling radial-ply truck tyre is developed to predict its vertical and cornering properties at relatively high speeds. The model includes a detailed representation of the tyre complex geometry and multi-layered composite structure including the carcass and belt plies, bead fillers and tread. LS-DYNA, a nonlinear finite element code, is used as the simulation tool. An algorithm is developed for efficient formulation of the model for parametric analyses. The validity of the proposed tyre model is demonstrated by comparing the predicted load-deflection, cornering and free vertical vibration characteristics with the reported experimental data. The simulation results revealed robust behaviour of the tyre model up to rolling speeds of 100 km/h. The verified tyre model is subsequently employed to study the influences of various operating parameters, namely, the inflation pressure, vertical load, rolling speed and road friction on the tyre vertical and cornering properties. Keywords: rolling truck tyre model; multi-layered tyre structure; vertical tyre properties; cornering properties; parametric studies; finite element; LS-DYNA. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Shokouhfar, S., Rakheja, S. and El-Gindy, M. (2016) ‘Development of a rolling truck tyre model using an automatic model regeneration algorithm’, Int. J. Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp.68–95. Biographical notes: Shahram Shokouhfar is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the CONCAVE Research Center, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Copyright© 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.