COMPROMISES ESSENTIAL TO SELECTION OF AN AIRCRAFT TIRE TREAD DESIGN,
Abstract
This paper presents a study of the contribution of tire tread in stopping aircraft on wet runways and a determination of optimum design for the best braking coefficient, considering the effects of wear and cost. The study is based on KC-135 and Boeing 707 type aircraft tires operating in water to a depth of 0.05 to 0.30 inches. The investigation shows that new tires meet the stopping distance requirements regardless of tread design. Tires 80 to 90% worn, however, require a minimum of four grooves to stop within the desired distance. Therefore, wear effect must be considered in establishing tread design requirements. Significant improvement in stopping distance is not obtained with designs having more than five grooves; an increase from five to nine grooves provides a 10% reduction in stopping distance, and more than nine grooves provides little additional reduction. A study of cost indicates that to obtain a 10% reduction in stopping distance by increasing the number of grooves from five to nine increases operating cost by 64%. For KC-135 applications, this increase in cost is relatively high for a modest improvement in performance. However, each aircraft should be considered in light of its own performance requirements. Cost should not become a deterrent in meeting the required performance of exceptionally high speed or STOL aircraft. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0603700
Entities
People
- W. M. Roberts