Title: Wide base radial truck tyres: properties and performance

Authors: John T. Tielking

Addresses: Civil Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3136, USA

Abstract: Wide base truck tyres have long been used in heavy load, short-had service in the United States. They are not yet, however, commonly seen here in long-haul trucking - the 18-wheel tractor-semitrailer continues to predominate on US highways. Several service advantages accrue by switching from dual tyres to wide base single tyres. Many other countries are already enjoying these advantages, but at the expense of increased pavement damage on some highways. This paper reviews current knowledge of wide base tyre characteristics, in comparison with those of a conventional radial truck tyre used in dual applications. Some performance characteristics discussed are stopping distance, hydroplaning, and vertical force transmissibility. Field data on pavement deflection produced by wide base tyres, in comparison with dual tyres, are also reviewed.

Keywords: blowout stability; force transmissibility; hydroplaning; pavement damage; stopping distance; tyre properties; wide base tyres; road damage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1995.054608

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1995 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.187 - 207

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article