The Distribution of the Inflation Forces on the Structural Members of a Radial Tire

This paper describes the forces that exist in the structural members of a radial tire and the rim flange due to inflation pressure.

The forces are determined utilizing the statics of a rigid body approach that assumes that at any given point in time a rigid structure exists. By analyzing the forces contained in varying free body diagrams, a system of simultaneous equations has been developed. Solving the systems of equations yields the force in each of the components of the tire for a given inflation pressure or conversely, given the strength of the component, the pressure at which the tire will burst can be calculated.

Extensive testing has been carried out and excellent correlation exists between the theoretical model and the emperical results.

The mathematical model described by this paper is meaningful to the tire engineer.