Abstract

The inflation pressure loss and carcass pressure build‐up (intracarcass pressure or ICP) of tubeless tires can be predicted with a simple theoretical model. Tire construction and relative air permeabilities of the main tire components are significant factors in the pressure loss and ICP. Highly impermeable liners play a major role in obtaining optimum results. Application of the model to recent European passenger tire surveys is shown.

Abstract

A vehicle sometimes drifts in a straight lane. This is caused by wind, road contour, suspension alignment, and tire properties. In this paper, characteristic tire properties which affect vehicle pull are defined and analyzed by the finite element method. The effect of tire construction and tread pattern on these characteristics are discussed.

Abstract

The deformation behavior of a tire in contact with the roadway is complicated, in particular, under the traction and braking conditions. A tread rubber block in contact with the road undergoes compression and shearing forces. These forces may cause the loss of contact at the edges of the block.

Theoretical analysis based on the energy method is presented on the contact deformation of a tread rubber block subjected to compressive and shearing forces. Experimental work and numerical calculation by means of the finite element method are conducted to verify the predicted results. Good agreement is obtained among these analytical, numerical, and experimental results.

Abstract

Whether polymer cords embedded in rubber under compression have a reinforcing function is still an important question in the analysis of tire structures. In this paper, on the basis of experimental results, it is confirmed that polymer cords embedded in rubber present some stiffness, thus playing a reinforcing role to a certain extent. When the cord volume fraction in the cord‐rubber composite is sufficiently large, the reinforcing function of the polymer cords is so significant that the properties of the cord‐rubber composite are mainly influenced by those of the cord.

When the compressive stress reaches a certain value, the cord‐rubber composite specimen yields by buckling if the cord volume fraction is large enough and the cord angle is within a certain small range. The buckling stress, which may be considered to be a failure stress, decreases with an increase in temperature. On the other hand, the effect of the cord angle on the buckling stress is found to be insignificant.