Numerical analysis concerning the skid resistance of rubber-contaminated runway grooves

Abstract

Runway grooves are essential for water drainage and skid resistance; although the skid resistance of runway grooves has been studied, research on the frictional properties of runway grooves remains limited. This study presents a numerical method for analyzing the skid resistance of runway grooves. A aircraft tire model was developed with rubber and belt layer materials. A grooved runway sample was obtained by simulating the grooves on a runway surface specimen. A numerical algorithm was employed on the runway sample to simulate groove closure caused by rubber deposits; the degree of closure was defined as the percentage of closed grooves resulting from rubber deposits. An interaction model was developed according to the power spectrum density of a grooved runway and the viscoelastic properties of tread rubber. The numerical simulation results were verified using a runway skid resistance field test. The effects of groove closure due to rubber deposit contamination and groove geometry were analyzed. Friction increased as groove depth and width increased, but friction decreased as groove spacing and degree of closure increased.