Vehicle Response Comparison to Tire Tread Separations Induced by Circumferentially Cut and Distressed Tires

In this study, tests were performed with modified tires at the right rear location on a solid rear axle sport utility vehicle to compare the vehicle inputs from both: (1) tire tread belt detachments staged by circumferentially cut tires, and (2) a tire tread detachment staged by distressing a tire in a laboratory environment. The forces and moments that transfer through the road wheel were measured at the right and left rear wheel locations using wheel force transducers; displacements were measured between the rear axle and the frame at the shock absorber mounting locations, ride height displacements were measured at the four corners of the vehicle, and accelerations were measured on the rear axle. Onboard vehicle accelerations and velocities were measured as well. The data shows that the tire tread belt detachments prepared by circumferentially cut tires and distressed tires have similar inputs to the vehicle. The results of this study demonstrate that utilizing circumferentially cut tires is appropriate to evaluate the effects that a tread separation may have on vehicle performance. Also, the forces created in the tire tread separation tests performed did not force the vehicle out of the drivers’ control.