Experimental investigation of pneumatic tire performance on ice: Part 1 – Indoor study. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhoopalam, Anudeep K.; Sandu, Corina; Taheri, Saied
• Is Part Of: Journal of terramechanics. Volume 60(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Tire–ice friction -- Indoor tire–ice testing -- Outdoor tire–ice testing; Trafficability -- Periodicals; Praticabilité (Routes) -- Périodiques; Trafficability; Periodicals; 629.222
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jterra.2015.02.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4898

Abstract

Highlights: Indoor test program conducted at the Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory. Test method: Ice creation and resurfacing procedures; test runs; and data analysis. Effects of operational parameters as studied in the laboratory. Abstract: Currently, the probability of accident occurrence is much higher when driving on icy roads than on asphalt. Since the tire is the only element of the vehicle that contacts the icy road, it is crucial to thoroughly comprehend the friction mechanism at the tire–ice interface for improved tires and safety systems for icy roads. This study investigates the available friction levels at the tire–ice interface by varying operational parameters through the indoor testing program conducted at the Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory, Virginia Tech (in part I) and the outdoor testing program conducted at the Keweenaw Research Center (in part II). This two-part article presents the design of experiment, the indoor and outdoor test programs, and friction–slip ratio curves obtained from both test programs for different conditions. The effects of operational parameters and their inter-dependency for the entire slip ratio range during operation on ice is explained, as studied from the two test programs. This article (part I) details the indoor test method consisting of the ice creation procedure, pre-test procedures, the test procedure and analysis of the obtained friction–slip ratio curves. This experimental investigation performs the necessary groundwork and builds a strong foundation towards making driving on ice safe.