CONTACT PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION OF RADIAL TIRE IN MOTION WITH CAMBER ANGLE

Theoretical and experimental study is conducted on the contact pressure distribution of a radial tire in motion under various camber angles. Tire construction is modelled by a spring bedded elastic ring, consisted of sidewall springs and a composite belt ring. The contact area is assumed to be a trapezoidal shape varying with camber angles and weighted load. The basic equation in a quasi-static form is derived for the deformation of a running belt with a constant velocity by the aid of Lagrange-Euler transformation. Galerkin's method and stepwise calculation are applied for solving the basic equation and the mechanical boundary condition along both sides of the contact belt part subjected to shearing forces transmitted from the sidewall spring. Experimental results on the contact pressure, measured by pressure sensors embedded in the surface of the drum tester, correspond well with the calculated ones for the test tire under various camber angles, running velocities and weighted loads. These results indicate that a buckling phenomenon of the contact belt in the widthwise direction occurs due to the effect of camber angle.