Numeric Analysis of Friction Contact between Tread and Flexible Pavement

Abstract

A finite element analysis model including rubber tread and flexible pavement was established by FEM software ANASYS and friction contact problem between tread and flexible pavement was numerically analyzed. The deformational features of tread and surface and distribution of tangent stress in the conditions of different interfacial friction coefficients between tread and surface under freely rolling and emergent braking states were discussed. The results show that (1) the interfacial friction coefficient takes the main responsibility for friction properties between tread and flexible pavement, with increasing of the interfacial friction coefficient, the deflection of pavement decreases, friction stress improves firstly and then keep stability, but both of tire wear and contact pressure increases; (2) aggrandizing the texture of pavement and increasing the interfacial friction coefficient between tread and surface can reduce the deflection of pavement effectively and improve the skid resistance of pavement under emergent braking states which are advantageous to pavement, but as the friction coefficient exceeds a certain critical value, the skid resistance corresponding under the emergent braking states does not enhance any longer, and the pressure of pavement augments obviously which are disadvantageous to pavement.