Impact of the bead structure on static and dynamic tire characteristics

Pirelli is one of the main tire manufacturers in the world, leader in the supply of original equipment tires for the prestige passenger car sector. This thesis is the product of a specific research activity performed by the R&D department of the Settimo Torinese industrial plant, aimed at detecting the influence on tire static and dynamic behavior of selected design leverages. This study in particular deals with the effects of the bead filler on the most relevant tire parameters, in particular the attention will be focused on material and geometry variants. These design leverages are currently used as a tool to modify the tire structural stiffness in order to reach the performance target required by the customer. The analysis is performed through steps: firstly, an analytical model of the investigated component is proposed, followed by a simulative study performed thanks to a Pirelli internal FEA software and concluded with the results collection of experimental test. Evaluating the relative level of influence of the considered design leverages, provides useful knowledge that might be taken into account when planning strategies aimed at reducing the factory complexity. Finally, a study based on the above-mentioned steps allows understanding if it is possible to find consistency between the results provided by three different analysis typologies.