A Model for Tire Wear

Abstract

Abstract Tire abrasion arises due to slip in the contact of the tread with the road, and so it is closely related to the conditions of the road surface and weather. An attempt at phenomenological modeling of the treadwear process has been presented. A simple differential equation is set up to capture the dependence of the groove depth on the sum of tangential slips. It is shown that stochastic components of the usual meteorological quantities (temperature and humidity) may be approximated with a Markov series. A random process is suggested to simulate these environmental effects. Analytical solution of the model equation gives the average course of the groove depth and its confidence limits due to environmental effects. A nonlinear parameter estimation problem is formulated and several methods for its solution indicated. Some recommendations for circumventing possible difficulties are given. The capability ofthe model has been demonstrated by modeling experimental data. Finally, some aspects of linearization and the consequent simplification are mentioned. Beyond the choice of adequate parameters to represent environmental effects, in particular, geographical regions, other questions remain. For example, structure of the model parameters a, b or their relationship to each other requires further effort. On the other hand, the scope of the present ideas may extend beyond the problem of tire treadwear, perhaps having application in the modeling of weathering problems.