Abstract
Finite element studies have been conducted in the past, which involved the simulation of the tire/rim seating process under a variety of sophisticated loading conditions up to and including full 3‐D loading with braking and cornering considered. However, the seating of the tire against the rim due to inflation pressure alone is an important and interesting phenomenon in its own right and time spent examining this 2‐D seating case in more detail is well spent. This study will limit itself to this simpler 2‐D case as three modeling strategies are compared for their applicability. Parametric results and frictional effects will be examined using the most accurate of these modeling techniques.