Analysis of Tire Lateral Forces and Interpretation of Experimental Tire Data

Force and moment tire data are not always easy to interpret. Tire characteristics unacceptable for one vehicle may be desirable for another. Tire data cannot be fully evaluated without considering the vehicle on which the tires are to be used. This paper describes a simple method by which tire data as applied to a particular vehicle can be evaluated. The analysis includes an approximate calculation of the steady-state directional control characteristics of the vehicle.

The calculations are simple and straightforward, and assist in interpretation of the effect of the tire forces on the vehicle steady-state characteristics. This method of analysis cannot replace the more elaborate dynamic analysis of vehicle handling, but can assist by eliminating those combinations of vehicle parameters and tire characteristics which cannot provide the desired directional control characteristics. This analysis provides a strong basis from which quantitative tire lateral force characteristics can be meaningfully specified.