Experimental investigation of the leading parameters influencing the hydroplaning phenomenon

Abstract

Tire hydroplaning is a phenomenon that occurs when the tire is no longer able to evacuate water from the road due to excessive speed. A water layer will then be interposed between the tire and the road, reducing their contact surface and decreasing the tire’'s ability to transmit forces. The purpose of this work is to analyse this loss of contact surface through the experimental point of view with real scale tests, which are perfectly suitable to understand the mechanisms. These tests consist in observing and then measuring the contact area of the tire with the ground in hydroplaning conditions through a measurement window. An investigation of the main factors engaged in hydroplaning situation is performed and the key parameters involved are identified. For a given tire, these surface losses are measured as a function of speed under different experimental conditions (inflation pressure, water level, tire wear, etc.). These results are then partially extended to the study of three other tires.

KEYWORDS:

• Aquaplaning
• vehicle-track interaction
• vehicle safety
• contact mechanics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).