Abstract

Natural frequencies and vibrating motions are determined in terms of the material and geometric properties of a radial tire modeled as a thin ring on an elastic foundation. Experimental checks of resonant frequencies show good agreement. Forced vibration solutions obtained are shown to consist of a superposition of resonant vibrations, each rotating around the tire at a rate depending on the mode number and the tire rotational speed. Theoretical rolling speeds that are upper bounds at which standing waves occur are determined and checked experimentally. Digital Fourier transform, transfer function, and modal analysis techniques used to determine the resonant mode shapes of a radial tire reveal that antiresonances are the primary transmitters of vibration to the tire axle.