Cut Progression During Dynamometer Testing of Foreign Object Damaged Type VII Extra High Pressure Aircraft Tires

Ground operations over rough surfaces and/or debris strewn taxiways and runways may result in cut damage to the tires. Cut progression during continued flight operations has not been seriously studied. This report will follow a group of Type VII Extra High Pressure tires which were damaged by running them over a debris strewn test bed, then run through alternating taxi-takeoff and landing-taxi tests on the 3.05 meter (120 inch) dynamometer in the Landing Gear Development Facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Only 1.3 - 23% of the debris struck by these tires resulted in cuts. While testing on the dynamometer, the cut depth grew rapidly until it reached the outer carcass ply, then slowed. The test group included new and recapped bias ply, and prototype radial main landing gear tires. This paper will summarize the tire tests and offer recommendations for future evaluation of the tires and materials.