The Tire as a Vehicle Component
I.D. # C0101 Duration 1 Day
The principal functions of the pneumatic tire are to generate driving, braking, and cornering forces while safely carrying the vehicle load and providing adequate levels of ride comfort. This seminar explains how tire forces and moments are generated under different operating and service conditions and, in turn, demonstrates how these forces and moments influence various vehicle responses such as braking, handling, ride, and high-speed performance. The content focuses on the fundamentals of tire behavior in automobiles, trucks, and farm tractors, but also includes experimental and empirical results, when necessary.

The Pneumatic Tire, a 700-page E-book on CD, edited by Joseph Walter and Alan Gent is included in the course material.

This course has been approved by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) for 7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon completion of this seminar, accredited reconstructionists should contact ACTAR, 800-809-3818, to request CEUs. As an ACTAR approved course, the fee for CEUs is reduced to $5.00.
Learning Objectives
By attending this seminar, you will be able to:
  • Explain the force and moment generating behavior of tires as related to construction, materials, and operating conditions
  • Predict vehicle response based on tire characteristics using basic laws of mechanics supplemented by experimental results as necessary
Who Should Attend
This course is designed principally for technical professionals in the automobile, tire, and wheel industries and their suppliers. In addition, some case studies and examples involve truck, agriculture, and aircraft tires.
Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree in a technical field or commensurate experience is desirable.
Seminar Content
  • Introduction
    • Brief history of tires and wheels
    • Types of tires
    • Tire construction features
  • Longitudinal Tire Properties
    • Braking and driving forces
    • Rolling resistance
  • Lateral Tire Properties
    • Cornering force
    • Camber thrust
    • Ply steer and conicity forces
  • Combined Longitudinal and Lateral Forces
    • Friction ellipse
    • Load transfer in cornering
  • The Tire as a Spring
    • Linear vs. non-linear springs
    • Rolling vs. non-rolling behavior
    • Tire frequency response
  • Tire and Wheel Non-Uniformities
    • Force and moment variations
    • Low speed/high speed effects
    • Tire manufacturing issues
  • Influences of Tire Properties on Vehicle Response
    • Vehicle stopping distance
    • Vehicle ride
    • Vehicle handling
    • Vehicle high speed performance
    • European vs. North American requirements
  • Future Technological Developments
    • Run-flat tires
    • Cordless cast tires
    • Intelligent tires
Instructor(s): Joseph D. Walter
joe_walter" Dr. Joseph D. Walter is presently on the faculty of The University of Akron's College of Engineering as an adjunct professor where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in both the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Departments. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Walter was managing director of Bridgestone-Firestone's Technical Center Europe located in Rome, Italy, and served on the Board of Directors of Bridgestone-Firestone Europe located in Brussels, Belgium. He has served as a mechanical engineering evaluator for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, ABET, and has also served on the original Committee of the National Academy of Sciences that addressed the future fuel economy (CAFE) goals for the nation, which is detailed in the 1992 book: "Automotive Fuel Economy-How Far Should We Go?" Dr. Walter received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech and an MBA from The University of Akron. He is a member of several professional organizations, including SAE and the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society.
Testimonial
"This instructor was as entertaining as he was knowledgeable and prepared. He covers a wide ranging spectrum succinctly and provided useful handouts."
Tom Vadnais
Partner
Vadnais, Wood & Rivers

"Relevant introduction to the importance of tire properties as it relates to vehicle dynamics and performance."
David Klyde
Principal Research Engineer
Systems Technology, Inc.

"A great course to get your feet wet in the world of tire handling and dynamics."
Martin Garcia
Project Engineer
Quest Engineering & Failure Analysis
Fees: $745 SAE Members*: $595 - $675
* The appropriate SAE Member discount will be applied through the Registration process.  Discounts vary according to level of membership: Elite Member 20%; Premium Member 15%; Classic Member 10%
CEU .7