FORCE & MOMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF 350x10, 8 PLY PNEUMATIC TYRES

Abstract

Experimental investigations of various steady state and transient force and moment characteristics due to interaction between tyre and dry concrete pavement are carried out on the tyres used on three-wheeled motor vehicles. The experiments were conducted on a 3.50 - 10,8 ply and a 3.50 - 10,6 ply tyres which are used in Vikram-410 three—wheeled vehicles manufactured by scooter's India. Experiments were conducted on a flat bed type tyre testing machine and a drum type tyre testing machine developed at this University. Measuring systems comprising of six component force resolvers using electrical resistance strain gauges were used for the measurement of six components of forces and moments. The steady state characteristics were determined at different values of inflation pressure, normal load, lateral slip and inclination angle combinations, speed and longitudinal slip. Effect of curvature of the testing road surface was studied by using a flat concrete road surface and a curved concrete road surface. The lateral force, overturning moment, aligning torque, tractive force and rolling resistance moment components are studied for both the tyres. Transient tyre characteristics with respect to step slip angle inputs were determined on a flat road surface. The transient tests were conducted at different values of longitudinal slip, inflation pressure and normal load.