Introductory Remarks

Abstract

To review today where we stand technologically in the subject of tire traction and to assure an adequate treatment seems impossible in the available time. I, therefore, will only touch upon some factors affecting tire traction. In general, the role of the tire can be divided into two modes of performance. The tire supports the vertical load and transmits longitudinal braking and driving forces. It also supplies the lateral cornering and camber forces which are necessary for the directional control of the vehicle. In practice, routine investigation of the behavior of the combination car-tire is usually restricted to the purely experimental part. The effect of tire construction is tested in carefully chosen automobile maneuvers. The tire engineer wants to know what is the best compromise in tire construction regarding carcass stiffness, tread pattern, tread compound, etc., to meet the conditions set by the vehicle suspension engineer.