Session: AVT-02-01: Advances in Methods for Ground Vehicle Systems Design

Paper Number: 143703

143703 - Investigation of Different Snow Material Models and Simulation Techniques for Enhanced Snow-Tire Interaction Study 

 

In regions that experience significant snowfall, the interaction between tires and snow-covered surfaces is critical for vehicle dynamics, safety, and performance. An advanced material model of snow with reliable parameters is required to simulate this complex interaction. A comprehensive study on the material characterization of compacted snow and parameter identification using an optimization approach in which Multi-Objective Design of Experiments (MODoE) are presented in this study. The calibrated snow models are also applied in various computational models for simulating rubber block-snow interactions. The characterization process involves Direct Shear Tests (DST) and Confined Compression Tests (CCT) to determine important snow properties. These properties are optimized using MODoE, which combines experimental data with simulations to refine material parameters. The study used two advanced computational techniques, the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), to evaluate their efficacy in simulating traction in snow-rubber interaction conditions. Both these methods with snow modeled by the modified Drucker-Prager Cap model, have proven capable of effectively representing the interaction between rubber blocks and snow. The verification of these models against snow-rubber interaction simulation aligns well with experimental results, highlighting the model's capability in solving complex interaction phenomena. The work is significant as it not only enhances understanding of the complex mechanical behavior of snow but also informs the design of tires optimized for snow traction.

Presenting Author: Yogesh Surkutwar Virginia Tech

Presenting Author Biography: Yogesh is a PhD student in Engineering Mechanics at Virginia Tech

Authors:

Yogesh Surkutwar Virginia Tech
Corina Sandu Virginia Tech
Costin Untaroiu Virginia Tech