Fore-and-Aft Stiffness and Damping Characteristics of 30 × 11.5 −14.5, Type VIII, Bias-Ply and Radial-Belted Aircraft Tires

An investigation was conducted to determine the fore and aft elastic response characteristics and footprint geometrical properties of 30 × 11.5 −14.5, Type VIII, bias-ply and radial-belted aircraft tires. Stiffness and damping characteristics of each tire were obtained from load-deflection curves generated from static tests. Tire footprints were obtained for various vertical loads, and geometrical measurements were obtained from the resulting silhouettes. Results of this investigation show considerable differences in stiffness and damping characteristics between the bias-ply and radial-belted tire designs. Footprint geometrical data indicate that footprint aspect ratio effects may interfere with improved hydroplaning potential associated with the radial-belted tire operating at higher inflation pressures. Tire-wheel slippage problems encountered when testing the radial-belted tire design required special attention.