Tire deformation measurement technology based on digital image correlation method

The contact between the tire and the road surface causes tread deformation, and using traditional methods to measure tire tread deformation is difficult and time-consuming. Therefore, based on the principle of the digital image correlation method, this paper develops a binocular vision measurement system and realizes the measurement of tire tread deformation through the test bench for tire ground pressure distribution measurement. The related programs of the measurement system, including camera calibration, image matching, and strain fitting, are proposed. The deformation measurement accuracy of the test bench is validated by the sprayed speckle rubber sheet test, and the relative error of the theoretical value and measurement value is within 2%. The tire tread deformation test under static loading conditions was carried out using the test bench, and the tread strain distribution in the contact area was obtained. The analysis of the test results shows that the strain distribution in the contact patch is axisymmetric under static loading conditions. The longitudinal (tire rolling direction) deformation of the tread at the leading edge and the trailing edge area of the contact patch has the largest strain, while the deformation of the shoulder area on both sides of the contact patch is relatively small. For lateral (tire axial direction) deformation, the leading edge and the trailing edge areas of the contact patch are less deformed, and the strain distribution is approximately axisymmetric. The shoulder area of the contact surface has a larger deformation. The tire’s outer shoulder area has a larger deformation than the inside shoulder area, which may be due to the asymmetric tread structure of the tire. For the vertical deformation of the tread, the central area of the tread has the smallest strain, while the surrounding area has a much larger vertical strain.