This project experimentally determines the nonstationary mechanics of pneumatic tires. Some work has been done in this area previously but it has been based on experiments of rolling tires loaded against a curved surface. This research enables dynamic force and moment measurements to be made on rolling tires loaded against a more realistic flat surface. The pneumatic tire is the primary determinant of the dynamic behavior of motor vehicles. In addition, it exhibits mechanical properties which have a major influence on the dynamic behavior of castered wheels, such as the self excited oscillations of nose or tail wheels on aircraft or of steerable wheels on motor vehicles. These measurements can subsequently be used to improve the analytical tire dynamics model. The experimental effort comprises fourteen steps of activity. Six of these involve modification of the existing experiment facility while the remaining eight are oriented to measuring tire dynamics characteristics.
