Objectives  This paper seeks to obtain the wheel load distribution characteristics of a truck tire on a stiffener plate.

  Methods   First, stiffener plate experiments are carried out under wheel pressure with different axle load cases; the contact area and contact pressure changes between the tire and aluminum alloy stiffened plate are obtained; and the basic distribution law of wheel load is summarized in combination with the relevant literature. Second, based on the experimental results, a second-order polynomial hypothesis for wheel load distribution characteristics is given, and the parameters in the polynomial under different axle load cases are determined according to the experimental data. Finally, the stress response of the aluminum alloy stiffener plate is compared with a combination of numerical simulation and experimental results.

  Results   The load distribution characteristics of a truck tire on a stiffener plate and the expressional method are obtained, and the rationality of the proposed wheel load distribution characteristics is proven.

  Conclusion  The study of wheel load in this article is helpful for understanding the characteristics of wheel load distribution on stiffener plates, and provides certain references for engineering applications.