A Hypothetical Tyre Size to improve Tyre Flotation on Sandy Soil Using Artificial Neural Networks Technique

The main aim of this paper is to optimize pneumatic tyre parameters related that improve tyre flotation and performance on sandy soils. Tyre flotation pressure is the pressure of inflation that makes tyre flotation maximum such that it deforms more than it sinks in the soil. A second aim is to predict the tyre flotation pressure on dry sandy soil by using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) Technique. A third aim is to predict a new tyre size that improves flotation on dry sand by using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) Technique.

Experimental investigation has been carried out on three tubeless tyre of sizes (225/75R15, 235/70R15 and 255/60R15) inflated each with four inflation pressures (50, 100, 150 and 200 kPa) on three dry sand with three densities (Loose, Medium, and High). The investigation aimed at determines the tyre deflection-load, sinkage-load relationships were measured and the tyre flotation pressure.

The artificial neural network (in MATLAB program) simulating the tyre deflection and sinkage on dry sand was used for all tyre and soil parameters. The artificial neural network demonstrated good generalization of the tyre deflection and sinkage when presented with data not used in network training. It also successfully proved to be a tool for finding out hypothetical tyre sizes that are suitable for locomotion on specific soils.