Tire and Wheel Safety Issues
I.D. # C0102 Duration 1 Day
One of the most important safety critical components on cars, trucks, and aircraft is the pneumatic tire. Vehicle tires primarily control stopping distances on wet and dry roads or runways and strongly influence over-steer/under-steer behavior in handling maneuvers of cars and trucks. The inflated tire-wheel assembly also acts as a pressure vessel that releases a large amount of energy when catastrophically deflated. The tire can also serve as a fulcrum, both directly and indirectly, in contributing to vehicle rollover. This seminar covers these facets of tire safety phenomena. Engineering fundamentals are discussed and illustrated with numerous practical examples and case studies of current public interest.

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
After completing this seminar attendees will be able to:
  • Describe the most important performance parameters and operating conditions of pneumatic tires related to safety.
  • Use fundamental equations of engineering science to predict and/or explain tire-vehicle interactions related to safety.
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
    • Vehicle accident statistics
    • The role of the tire in accident prevention/causation
    • Tire construction features
    • Tire failure modes
  • Tire Grip and Related Phenomena
    • Tire-road friction characteristics
    • Tire braking forces
    • Factors influencing vehicle stopping distance
    • Combined braking and cornering
    • Hydroplaning
    • High speed behavior and standing waves
  • Brake Performance
    • Front wheel/rear wheel lock-up
    • Braking efficiency
    • Anti-lock braking and other systems
  • The Tire as a Pressure Vessel
    • Burst pressure
    • Energy release in punctured tires
    • Wheel issues
    • Tire and/or wheel case studies
  • Over-steering Vehicles
    • Meaning of under-steer coefficient
    • The contribution of the tire
  • Vehicle Rollover Analysis
    • History of rollover
    • Rollover threshold
    • Tripping mechanisms
    • Tire effects
    • Operating conditions
    • Public policy issues
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? He is a member of several professional organizations, including SAE and the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. Dr. Walter received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech and an M.B.A. from The University of Akron.
Testimonial
"Good coverage of relevant issues concerning tires and vehicle safety."
David Klyde
Principal Research Engineer
Systems Technology, Inc.

"The best I've attended. Exceptional instructor that combined knowledge of subject, easy teaching style and encouragement of group involvement."
E. F. Mallard
President
Forensic Engineering, Inc.

"Dr. Walter was as entertaining as he was informative. He covered a remarkable amount of material in a clear, concise manner."
Thomas Vadnais
Partner
Vadnais, Wood & Rivers

"Super clear and concise introduction and overview of how the tire affects vehicle performance."
Shaun M. Immel
VP Engineering
Micro-Poise Measurement Systems, LLC

"Mr. Walter presents the course materials enthusiastically. He has vast knowledge and inputs relevant historical references."
Ron Steiger
Sr. Eng. Manager
PDI Ground Support Systems, Inc.

"It has a great technical content as well as a very interesting historical background."
Gerardo Andrade
OE Quality Manager
Pirelli Tire

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