To evaluate the effect of the loss of a tread belt without tire deflation, the authors tested tires prepared so that the tread belts could be intentionally separated while driving at speeds between 50 and 75 miles per hour. The initial phase of the test was conducted at theTransportation Research Center (TRC) in East Liberty, Ohio on the Vehicle Dynamics Area track. The test vehicle was a 1993 Ford Taurus four door sedan. Twelve tires were tested on the TRC track. Three were tested at each wheel position. Nine tread belt detachments were produced on a straightaway. Three detachments were in curves or during a driver induced steering manoeuvre. The tread detachments occurred at speeds between 50 and 75 miles per hour. All tread belts separated in one continuous piece, with two or three small fragments in some cases. All of the authors were involved as test drivers and passengers to introduce a range of driver skills and responses. The vehicle speed, forward and lateral acceleration rates, and the driver induced steering torque was measured and recorded. Separate tests were conducted to obtain comparative drag and lateral steering effects for intact and inflated tires, and for deflated tires with the tread belt in place. The sequence was repeated for tires with the tread belt detached. See also IRRD 899768.
Abstract