Conference Agenda

A 3D finite element modelling workflow for bicycle tyre analysis is presented, addressing the limited use of detailed numerical simulations for bicycle tyres compared with the automotive tyre sector. Unlike most tyre FE models relying on axisymmetric geometries or simplified tread representations, the proposed workflow explicitly includes the tread pattern of an off-road bicycle tyre within a full 3D model, together with bead reinforcement and body ply structure. The workflow is implemented in the implicit LS-DYNA solver and reproduces tyre mounting, inflation, and quasi-static vertical loading. The approach is applied to a 29 × 2.40 off-road tubeless bicycle tyre and evaluated in terms of footprint characteristics and vertical stiffness under different inflation pressures. The simulations qualitatively reproduce the characteristic elliptical footprint shape and capture the stiffening effect associated with increased inflation pressure. A vertical stiffness of 69.6 N/mm is predicted at an inflation pressure of 0.15 MPa, showing reasonable agreement with experimental data available in the literature. Nevertheless, the predicted footprint dimensions are smaller than reported experimental measurements, highlighting the need for dedicated material characterisation and tyre-specific validation before the model can be used for fully predictive design applications.