EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATION OF PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION OF TRUCK TIRE-PAVEMENT CONTACT

Abstract

The results are presented of an experimental determination of pressure distributions beneath statically loaded truck tires using a pressure-sensitive film. A load frame fitted with a hydraulic ram was used to statically load a bald and treated 10-20 bias ply truck tire. The use of pressure-sensitive film allowed the net contact area--as well as the entire pressure distribution--to be captured, and the data to be stored by using an automated print reading system. The results indicate that the treaded tire produced the highest pressures in the tire shoulder region for the cases studied, except for the overinflated case. High inflation pressures caused the peak pressures to move from the tire shoulder toward the tire centerline. The results also indicate that heavy axle loads produced regions of high pressure in the tire shoulder region. Experiments conducted on bald tires show similar trends; however, the overall pressure distribution is more continuous because of the lack of treads.