The Influence of Tire Wear on Steering Properties and the Corresponding Stresses at the Tread-Road Interference

The paper presents data showing the effects of the state of wear, structure, load, and inflation pressure on the cornering stiffness and aligning torque stiffness of typical passenger tires. A method is introduced and applied for assessing contributions of local elements of the tread interface to the cornering force, the cornering stiffness, the aligning torque, and the aligning stiffness. There is also a further identification of the contributions to the aligning torque from fore and aft interfacial stress distributions and from lateral stress distributions. Pneumatic trail is redefined in the light of the interfacial measurements, and values are established for various operating conditions, states of wear, and tire types.