Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Jan 2020

Experimental Investigation of the Tractive Performance of Pneumatic Tires on Ice

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Page Range: 22 – 45
DOI: 10.2346/tire.18.460409
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ABSTRACT

This investigation was motivated by the need for performance improvement of pneumatic tires in icy conditions. Under normal operation, the pneumatic tire is the only force-transmitting component between the terrain and the vehicle. Therefore, it is critical to grasp the understanding of the contact mechanics at the contact patch under various surfaces and operating conditions. This article aims to enhance the understanding of the tire-ice contact interaction through experimental studies of pneumatic tires traversing over smooth ice. An experimental design has been formulated that provides insight into the effect of operational parameters, specifically general tire tread type, slip ratio, normal load, inflation pressure, ice surface temperature, and traction performance. The temperature distribution in the contact patch is recorded using a novel method based on thermocouples embedded in the contact patch. The drawbar pull is also measured at different conditions of normal load, inflation pressure, and ice temperatures. The measurements were conducted using the Terramechanics Rig at the Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory. This indoor single-wheel equipment allows repeatable testing under well-controlled conditions. The data measured indicates that, with the appropriate tread design, the wheel is able to provide a higher drawbar pull on smooth ice. With an increase in ice surface temperature, a wet film is observed, which ultimately leads to a significant decrease in traction performance.

Keywords: tire-ice interface; contact patch; traction on ice; drawbar pull; temperature; friction
FIG. 1
FIG. 1

Axis system of a tire according to SAE J670e and SAE J2047. Adapted from [8] under fair use.

FIG. 2
FIG. 2

Tread design of candidate tires used for the study.

FIG. 3
FIG. 3

Terramechanics Rig at AVDL with water on top of solid ice.

FIG. 4
FIG. 4

Terramechanics Rig at AVDL with water on top of solid ice.

FIG. 5
FIG. 5

Static coefficient of friction of the pressure pad measuring system that mimics the smooth ice surface used for traction measurement.

FIG. 6
FIG. 6

Dimensions of the K-type thermocouples used for the investigation.

FIG. 7
FIG. 7

Instrumentation of the standard reference test tire (SRTT).

FIG. 8
FIG. 8

Measurement and identification of thermocouples.

FIG. 9
FIG. 9

Metal scraper and rubber squeegee used for ice preparation prior to each test.

FIG. 10
FIG. 10

Measured drawbar pull of the SRTT. The ice surface temperature was −10 °C, the inflation pressure was 242 kPa, and the tire was operating at 100% LI. The error bars show the largest standard deviation of 0.03.

FIG. 11
FIG. 11

Calculated longitudinal velocity of the carriage assembly.

FIG. 12
FIG. 12

Drawbar pull measurement of the SRTT at an ice surface temperature of −10 °C for the examination of the effects of the toe angle.

FIG. 13
FIG. 13

Drawbar pull coefficient of the SRTT at various normal loads with 0° camber angle and 0° toe angle when the inflation pressure is at 100% of the maximum and the ice surface temperature is at −10 °C.

FIG. 14
FIG. 14

Drawbar pull coefficient of SRTT at various inflation pressures with 0° camber angle and 0° toe angle and an ice surface temperature of −10 °C.

FIG. 15
FIG. 15

Drawbar pull coefficient of SRTT at 80% inflation pressure, 100% normal load, with 0° camber angle and 0° toe angle.

FIG. 16
FIG. 16

Drawbar pull coefficient for tire B at 80% inflation pressure, 100% normal load, with 0° camber angle and 0° toe angle.

FIG. 17
FIG. 17

Drawbar pull measurement of three tires at an ice surface temperature of −3 °C.

FIG. 18
FIG. 18

Drawbar pull measurement of three tires at an ice surface temperature of −3 °C.

FIG. 19
FIG. 19

— Temperature time history measurements displaying the effect of 60% inflation pressure for the 235/55R19 tire B at low slip ratio. The testing conditions were set at 0° toe angle and 0° camber angle at 100% load index.

FIG. 20
FIG. 20

— Temperature time history measurements displaying the effect of 60% inflation pressure for the 235/55R19 tire B at high slip ratio. The testing conditions were set at 0° toe angle and 0° camber angle at 100% load index.

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