8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
WELCOME, ORIENTATION and INTRODUCTION

Dr. Benjamin T.F. Chung
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Akron
 

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,   Lunch-Noon
THE TIRE AS A VEHICLE COMPONENT

Dr. Gerald Potts
Test Measurement Systems, Inc.

Today’s pneumatic tire must serve four functions:  (1) support a moving load; (2) generate steering forces; (3) generate driving and braking forces; and (4) provide isolation from road irregularities. In examining the complex mechanism involved in satisfying the four requirements, participants will study the tire’s importance in determining overall vehicle performance; for no matter what level of complexity is designed into a vehicle, its only communication with the road is through tires.

I. Basic Functions
II. Lateral Force Tire Models
III. Cornering Transients
IV. Vehicle Ride Characteristics
 

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Lunch-Noon
TIRE STRESS AND DEFORMATION ANALYSIS

Dr. Michael Trinko
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (retired) &
The University of Akron

The properties of the anisotropic cord rubber composite have primary control of the overall performance characteristics of pneumatic tires. In order to optimize a given tire performance, knowledge of the combined cord rubber composite material properties is necessary and will be covered in this part of the course.

I. Composite Material Stiffness Calculation
II. Analytical Techniques (Classical Methods)
     A. Equilibrium Tire Design
     B. Cord Load, Bead Force and Burst Pressure Calculations
     C. Standing/Traveling Waves
III. Experimental Techniques (Point and Whole Field Methods)
     A. Cord Tension and Rubber Strain Measurements
     B. Belt Edge Strains/Durability
     C. Tire-to-Road and Tire-to-Rim Contact

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.,   ITEC Exhibit Visit

5 p.m. Cocktail Reception with ITEC attendees
 

8 a.m. to 12 noon
STRENGTH, WEAR, AND FRICTION OF RUBBER

Dr. Alan Gent
Institute of Polymer Science
The University of Akron.

To fully understand friction and wear of tires, a basic knowledge of the mechanical properties of rubber is needed. This presentation deals with the elasticity and strength of rubber, its visco-elastic properties that cause rubber to have inherent damping, and the laboratory measurement and interpretation of tear strength, fatigue resistance and adhesion to wire cord. The unusual frictional properties of rubber are discussed, and the difficulty in meeting the competing requirements of low rolling resistance for good fuel economy, but high sliding friction for good traction and braking. Some fundamental factors governing the rate of wear of tires are also outlined.

I. Elasticity and Visco-elasticity
II. Strength of Rubber Compounds
III. Rolling and Sliding Friction
IV. Abrasion of Rubber and Wear of Tires

Noon to 1 p.m. Lunch
 

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
STRENGTH, WEAR, AND FRICTION OF RUBBER

Dr. Marion G. Pottinger
M’gineering LLC.

Tire force generation, wear and traction are all crucially determined by what takes place in the tire/road contact patch. This section provides a discussion of how tire design, kinematics, the road surface, and driver behavior come together to determine wear, traction, and cornering behavior. The discussion is conducted not only on a scientific basis, but also on product design.

I. Tire Contact Stresses and Displacement
II. The Effect of Contact Stresses and Displacements on Wear
III. Tire Force Generation and the Effect of Tread Design
IV. Tire Forces, Traction, and Design
V. Other Design-related Topics Affected by Footprint Behavior

8 a.m. to 12 Noon
TIRE MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING

Dr. Joseph D. Walter
The University of Akron

The materials used in today’s pneumatic tires are designed to act in concert with construction features to provide optimum durability and performance for a given tire application. Proper rubber compound formulation and application of cord-rubber composites are crucial to the successful operation of a tire. This part of the course provides participants with an introduction to the unique performance and physical properties of rubber compounds and textile materials used in tires.

Material Composition of a Tire
The Rubber Compound
Processing of Rubber Compounds
Reinforcements-Textile and Steel Cord

Noon to 1 p.m. Lunch
 
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING TIRES

Dr. Joseph Walter
The University of Akron

Government regulations, industry standards, customer specifications, and marketing requirements directly impact the ultimate design (and consequently the performance level) of all tires ­ especially original equipment and aftermarket passenger car tires. Discussed in this part of the course are:

I. The current state of regulatory affairs, including the TREAD act.
II. The design trade-offs often inherent in meeting sometimes
     conflicting rulesand regulations.
III. Different market requirements
 

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ITEC Exhibit Visit

5 p.m. Cocktail Reception with ITEC attendees 

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,   Lunch-Noon
ADVANCED TIRE MODELING

Dr. Joseph Padovan
The University of Akron

This presentation will include past, present and possible future analytical-numerical models of the tire, a development of the tire behavior and discussion of current numerical simulation techniques.

• Introduction to FEA
• Overall methodology
• Flow of modeling scheme
• Applications to tire simulations
• Commercial simulation packages
• Local Global  multi length scale modeling
• Prediction of tires local cord-rubber/inter-and intra-laminar responses to pressurization, loading, cornering and braking
• Local detailed belt edge, side wall and bead area models
• Prediction of optimal cord rubber - rivet/inter ply spacing
• Durability assessment
• Fatigue life assessment protocol
• Deterministic and non-deterministic models
• Belt edge/ side wall/ bead area fatigue life prediction
• Dynamic modeling
• Natural frequencies and critical speed
• Transient events  envelopment/impact events
• Specialty applications
• Run flat tire models
• Noise source modeling
• Hydroplaning and wear

3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
DISTRIBUTION OF COURSE CERTIFICATES AND COURSE FEEDBACK

Dr. Benjamin T.F. Chung
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Akron