Structural Mechanics of Radial Tires

Abstract

Abstract This review has included only theoretical studies of cross-sectional tire shape, structural properties of the belt, and certain topics on structural mechanics of radial tires. Many other papers on these subjects have been omitted because of the space limitation and because of the objective to describe only broad trends and prospects rather than to present an exhaustive review. Many different but interesting problems remain regarding stresses, deformations, and failure of radial tires under various loading conditions, for example: ( 1 ) physico-chemical and mechanical studies of the viscous flow and vulcanization of rubber during tire formation, in order to determine the setting mechanism and residual stresses in the cord-rubber array; (2) theoretical studies of both in-plane and interply loads and deformations in laminates of more than three layers, by developing a three dimensional lamination theory; (3) accurate determinations of spring bed coefficients in equations based on a shell model (e.g. for use in a ring model, which could yield a closed form solution for various tire performance parameters); (4) experimental and analytical studies of elastic properties and strengths of twisted tire cords under various conditions of extension, compression, bending, and torsion; (5) experimental and analytical studies of the distribution of contact pressure between a radial carcass and a belt (which pressure strongly affects the cross-sectional shape of a tire, especially near the belt edges); and (6) theoretical studies of the cross-sectional shape of the inflated radial tire by relating the bending rigidity of the body, particularly near the bead, to the mold shape.