Measuring system for investigation of tri-axial stress distribution across the tyre–road contact patch

A measuring system for investigation of stress distributions in the tyre–road contact patch was designed and developed. The transducer within this system comprises a transversal array of sensing elements, covering the entire contact patch width in a single run. The system simultaneously measures stress distributions on three directions for a truck tyre (or even airplane tyre). Each sensing element has 10 mm × 10 mm contact surface and optimized dimensions, allowing measurements in various wheel rolling conditions. The transducer induces minimum changes in tyre–road contact properties, as it has very small gaps around sensing elements. The system is road mounted, in real rolling conditions. The measuring system contains 90 strain measuring channels. Main aspects regarding system calibration and specially developed software are illustrated. Preliminary results of tyre–road contact stress distributions are presented.