Abstract: Flattening of radial truck tire is the trend of development for TBR tire. However, due to the low profile and relatively wide tread, the deformation of tire tread is intractable, which leads to uneven distribution of tire contact pressure, and affects the performance of tire wear and grip. The special structure of locust’s pad is evolved to be able to stable grip on a surface, the main reason is that the arc pad surface can reduce the contact stiffness, and increase contact area. According to the geometry structural characteristics of locust’s pads and the functional characteristics of flexor tendon, a new TBR tire tread and belt structure are put forward. Finite element method is used to analyze the contact pressure distribution and grip performance in static loading, free rolling, traction and braking. Simulation results show that controlling deformation form of the tire crown, locust-like paws tire tread structure could improve the contact stiffness distribution, and the uniformity of tire ground pressure distribution, which could reduce tire shoulder stress concentration and enhance tire wear resistance. The bionic tire crown structure can also increase the braking, contact area of tire and promote adhesion stability during braking.

Key words: Bionic design, Finite element analysis, Locust, Radial tire, The structure of crown