Mechanical Modeling and Analysis of a Non-Pneumatic Tire

Abstract:

Understanding and designing modern Non-Pneumatic Tires (NPTs) requires accurate characterization of the stress-strain behavior of the polyurethane rubber commonly used in their spokes. This seminar explores the mechanical properties of an under-studied NPT (the Michelin Tweel® 18x8.5N10, designed for golf and utility carts) while introducing various modeling techniques for tire layers and elements through the exploration of different material models.

To characterize the polyurethane spoke material, three material models were calibrated using an experimental stress-strain curve and validated through a simulated tensile test. Two software packages, MCalibration and Pam-Crash, were utilized to develop a 3rd-order Ogden hyperelastic rubber model. The resulting models achieved a high R² fitness of 0.99 with respect to experimental data up to 500% strain. However, both Ogden models underestimated stress in the 0% to 100% strain range. To address this limitation, the General Nonlinear Solid Foam material model was implemented, accurately capturing polyurethane’s stress-strain behavior in this critical range.

This seminar highlights the importance of selecting material models based on performance within a specific strain range rather than relying solely on overall fitness coefficients. The successful implementation of the General Nonlinear Solid Foam model will enable highly accurate finite element modeling of NPT spoke behavior in future research and development efforts.

Bio:

Dr. Zeinab El-Sayegh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering at Ontario Tech University, Canada. She is a distinguished researcher with expertise in tire modeling, vehicle dynamics, and automotive simulation. Her work integrates advanced computational methods and experimental validation to improve vehicle handling, safety, and efficiency. Through her research, publications, and collaborations with leading automotive manufacturers and research institutions, Dr. El-Sayegh has made significant contributions to the field.

She serves as the co-director of the Tire-Terrain Interaction Simulation (TTIS) and Truck Driving & Vehicle Dynamics Simulation (TDVDS) Laboratories, where she leads innovative studies on tire behavior, vehicle performance, and transportation technologies. Her research has had a substantial impact on both academia and industry, driving advancements in vehicle system modeling and simulation.

Beyond her research, Dr. El-Sayegh is actively engaged in academic and professional initiatives. She frequently shares her expertise through seminars, conferences, and technical workshops, fostering knowledge exchange between academia and industry. She is an Assistant Editor of the International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems and a dedicated committee member of the Vehicle Design Committee at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

As a mentor and educator, Dr. El-Sayegh has supervised and graduated many Master’s and Ph.D. students in Canada, guiding the next generation of engineers and researchers. With over 90 publications in prestigious international journals and conferences, her work continues to shape the future of automotive and mechatronics engineering.