Experimental Analysis of Tread Pattern Effects on Tire Tractive Performance on Sand using an Indoor Traction Measurement System with Forced-slip Mechanism

An indoor traction measurement system was redesigned to improve the measurement of tractive performance for off-road tires and to compare experimental tire traction results with those of a tire performance simulation. The system comprises a soil bin, a mixing and compaction device, and a single wheel tester with a forced-slip mechanism. The range of available slip is further extensible than that of a conventional system. Tractive performance of four automotive tires with smooth, lug, rib and block tread patterns was tested on sand. Experimental results show that the tire with lug pattern or block pattern exhibited higher drawbar pull than other tread patterned tires for slip greater than 17.8%.