Evaluation of drawbar performance of winter tyres for special purpose vehicles. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cutini, Maurizio; Brambilla, Massimo; Toscano, Pietro; Bisaglia, Carlo; Abbati, Gianluca; Meloro, Gianluca
• Is Part Of: Journal of terramechanics. Volume 87(2020)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Dynamometer -- Snow -- Ice -- Traction; Trafficability -- Periodicals; Praticabilité (Routes) -- Périodiques; Trafficability; Periodicals; 629.222
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jterra.2019.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4898

Abstract

Highlights: Driving on ice still is a low safety driving condition and winter tyres have been developed also for industrial vehicles. There are machines which are specifically designed also for pulling. Traction force testing is, consequently, one of the main topics of interest. This study presented an experimental procedure to compare winter tires for industrial vehicles. The results obtained can be used to compare different tires of the same category. Abstract: Driving on ice is still a risky activity. Research has investigated the factors contributing to the friction mechanism and has reported experimental studies of pneumatic tyres on ice in order to develop models that predict tractive and braking performance on ice/snow. Therefore, developing testing methods to obtain relevant experimental data for the validation of models is equally important. There are agricultural and industrial vehicles which are also designed for pulling but there are no specific studies reporting experimental tests on traction force of such machines in snowy conditions. However, this issue is very topical, as demonstrated by the appearance on the market of winter tyres for such vehicles. This study presents a method for testing winter tyres in outdoor test facilities with a focus on traction performance. The conclusions will serve in future investigations as a concise knowledge source to develop improved testing facilities and tyre–ice interaction models, aiding the development of better tyre designs and improved vehicle safety systems. The functional tests hereafter described have been carried out with the aim of evaluating the possibility of measuring the influences of different technique solutions on the performance of certain 17.5 R25 sized industrial tyres.