Assessment of tire contact properties by nondestructive analysis. Part 1. The contact length in the region of adhesion at slow rolling velocities

The article discusses methods of nondestructive analysis for describing the contact interaction between the tire and the bearing surface. The problems of qualitative comparison of automobile tires are discussed. The contact length in the region of adhesion at individual points over the tire surface during rolling was selected as the criterion of assessment. The influence of load on the wheel and pressure in the tire on the contact length was explored in the region of adhesion at slow rolling velocities. A tire stand with a device to monitor the point of contact between the tire and the surface was used to obtain experimental data using methods of image processing. The results show different extents of wear of winter and race tires.