Driver-in-the-Loop Optimization of Tire-Vehicle Dynamics using Virtual Tire Development approach through Physical Tire Models

This study provides a virtual development process using VI-Grade Driving Simulator and Adams simulation integrating CD tire models to modify all-terrain tire performance for an altered and new proposed version of an existing production vehicle. The proposed alteration introduces ride height changes, weight distribution changes, and centre of gravity changes from existing vehicle design. The proposed new vehicle variant also introduces tire change from highway terrain type to all-terrain type as it was intended to deliver some off-roading capabilities, thereby vehicle dynamics and kinematics recalibration & tuning required. The conventional development cycles through physical prototypes are time-consuming and expensive. Alternatively, this solution combines high-fidelity tire simulation, driver-in-the-loop (DIL) simulation, and multi-body dynamics analysis to reduce development time and prototype cycles. The proposed method begins with baseline correlation, augmenting Adams vehicle models with variant parameters and reference against VI-Grade simulations. Sensitivity analysis identifies critical tire parameters (e.g., cornering stiffness, tread block dynamics) influencing handling. Virtual tire models are iteratively tested within the simulator, blending objective measurements and subjective driver feedback for tuning Physical testing of a limited set of prototypes is then done for ultimate validation to ensure correlation of virtual and physical performance.