Computational approach to thermal-stressed state modeling of tire based on the algorithm of its self-heating analysis . Part 1 – Theoretical basics of the approach

Elastomers and their composites are widely used in modern innovative technology: for the production of aviation and automobile tires, anti-vibration elements (rubber, rubber-metal springs), dampers, elastomeric bearings. Also they are used in shaft suspensions, as spacers between structural parts, supporting parts and fasteners. Elastomeric elements of structures have a high dynamic load, in particular of a cyclic nature, which is accompanied by the formation of hysteresis loops and, as a result, the occurrence of the phenomenon of self-heating. An increase in temperature in the middle of materials causes significant changes in their mechanical properties, reduces strength characteristics, accelerates aging and degradation processes, and has a significant impact on fatigue processes. In addition, an increase in temperature causes an additional thermal stress state, capable of significantly changing the qualitative picture of the structure's deformation characteristics' distribution. Thus, the purpose of this study is development of approach to assessing the thermal stress state of structures made of elastomeric materials for the possibility of further analysis of its influence on the structure work as a whole. The appropriate approach was built on the basis of numerical modeling of thermal and deformation processes which takes place into the structure during operation. The proposed approach includes several related calculations by using FEM and is based on the fundamental approaches of the theories of elasticity and viscoelasticity, thermal conductivity and thermo-elasticity. Thus, the article presents an approach to the analysis of the thermal stress state of structural elements under operating conditions. This approach was applied to determine the thermo-strain-stress characteristics of a pneumatic tire and corresponding pictures of its distribution were obtained.