1999 - Japan - Tire Model to Predict Treadwear

This study examines treadwear on tires caused by low severity cornering during free roll. The authors previously proposed a method to predict treadwear using rubber pad wear tests. This method required measurements from actual tires to obtain the tread frictional parameters, i.e., the sliding distance, sliding velocity, and contact pressure. The present study proposes an analytical tire model for predicting treadwear that does not require measurements from actual tires. This enables treadwear prediction during the tire design stage, prior to test tire construction. A continuous tread model for lateral tread deformation is described to evaluate the frictional parameters. The treadwear is then predicted from the parameters and the rubber pad wear rate. The predicted treadwear rates are compared with actual treadwear rates and are found to be valid in the tread center area.