Effects of Ambient Temperature on Cornering Characteristics of Aircraft Tires

Aircraft functions under extreme environmental circumstances, encompassing both elevated and diminished temperatures, influence the material characteristics and inflation pressure of aircraft tires. This results in modifications to the tire’s cornering, affecting the shock absorption efficacy of the landing gear and maneuvering stability during cornering. This study examines the cornering characteristics of aircraft tires at four ambient temperatures: −60 °C, −40 °C, 25 °C, and 50 °C. The analysis of stress–strain findings of rubber materials at varying temperatures assessed the impact of ambient temperature on rubber properties. Based on this, a numerical model for tire cornering was constructed using ABAQUS to examine the impact of ambient temperature on the tire’s cornering characteristics. The model considers the intricate friction dynamics between the tire and road surface and the convergence tolerance parameter of ABAQUS. The precision of this model and methodology was confirmed through experimental testing. The findings demonstrate that ambient temperature significantly affects the lateral force and self-aligning torque of aircraft tires, hence impacting cornering stiffness considerably. The influence of radial force and rolling speed on cornering differs with varying ambient temperatures. These results offer significant insights into the design of aircraft tire environmental adaptability and aircraft ground handling systems.