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A hydrodynamic analysis is presented for the behavior of individual tire tread element on the smooth pavement covered with thin fluid film. For the conditions of a rigid element and time-dependent loading, a computationally-efficient method is proposed. Application of product method leads to transforming a transient integro-differential system of equations to a steady-state single differential equation to describe viscous hydroplaning. Results from the study show that this approach provides a fast and accurate methodology for modeling viscous hydroplaning.

Numerical solutions are presented for the action of an individual tread element on a wet pavement. Complicate tread geometry and time-dependent loading condition are taken into account in the numerical procedure. A new hydrodynamic lubrication approach based on a product method is applied to conduct the study at greatly increased computational efficiency. Extensive simulation study for various geometries was achieved using finite-element method. Results from the study provide quantitative guidelines to tire designer in the search for the optimum pattern of individual tread element on the basis of thin film wet traction.

This study presents an improved paint wear test. It comprises applying a single layer of paint to tread surface by spraying, running the tires on a vehicle for a short distance, assessing the wear rate by measuring the intensities of reflecting lights at various locations, and comparing them with original values. The system uses changes in the gray level of each point on the tread block to determine wear rate. This method permits the wear rate to be quantitatively evaluated with a very high resolution under well-controlled test conditions. A typical example is provided to show wear distribution across shoulder to shoulder of truck tire. Application of the technique makes studies of the effects of wheel alignment and tire on uneven wear possible.