Abstract

The deformation properties and cord tension distribution of a bias tire in contact with the road are analyzed by assuming the tire carcass under inflation pressure to be a toroidal membrane shell of elliptical cross section having a hyperbolic type of orthotropy and the tire tread to be an elastic foundation. Displacement components of a carcass are approximated by an appropriate linear combination of finite terms and are determined by the principle of minimum potential energy. Numerical results for the deformation properties and the cord tension distribution agree well with the corresponding experimental results.