MEGR 3092 – TIRE MECHANICS
Instructor: Dr. Peter Tkacik
M/W: 11:00 - 12:15PM
Catalog
Description
"In-depth analysis of the tire and its influence on vehicle performance, including: design,
materials, construction, structural response, rolling resistance, force and moment
generation, NVH, wet and dry traction, wear, high speed limit, and standards. Tire
models, their limitations, and their governing equations”. CRN 25290
Instructor
Dr. Peter Tkacik
103 MSRL
Phone: 704-687-8114
Fax: 704-687-8345
Email: ptkacik@uncc.edu
Office Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday / 1:00 – 2:30
Text (available free Alan N. Gent and Joseph D. Walter, editors., “Mechanics of Pneumatic Tires”, National
online from the Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, WASHINGTON
U.S. DOT)
D.C. 20590
Text web page www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/safercar/pdf/PneumaticTire_HS-810-561.pdf
References
Hans Pacejka, “Tire and Vehicle Dynamics, Elsevier, 2012 ISBN 978-0-08-097016-5
Milliken, W.F., and D.L. Milliken, Race Car Vehicle Dynamics, Society of Automotive
Engineers, Inc., Warrendale, PA, ISBN 1-56091-526-9.
Prerequisites
MEGR 2144 and MEGR 3121, all with a grade of C or better.
Objectives





Topics to be
Covered









To teach students to develop physical and mathematical models to predict the
dynamic response of tires.
To teach students tire design performance criteria and how to use the criteria to
evaluate vehicle dynamic response.
To teach students about the design and development of tires.
To develop students’ understanding of how tire dynamic analyses are used in vehicle
dynamics.
To introduce students to performance issues and industry practices for road going
vehicles.
Introduction to tire characteristics
Tire Construction
Rubber friction and abrasion
Tire composite materials
Tire Stresses
Tire Contact Patch Behavior
Tire Force and Moments
Abnormal conditions in tires
Destructive and non-destructive testing
MEGR 3092/7092 – Tire Mechanics
Grading
Student Learning
Outcomes
Homework
Exams
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final
Total





Spring 2014
20%
22%
22%
36%
100%
Students will demonstrate that they can apply Newton’s three laws to analyze vehicle
systems.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to model tire performance.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to model suspension
components.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of loading effects on tire performance.
Students will demonstrate how to modify a vehicle to meet performance criteria.
Other Policies:
Homework
Any homework assigned is intended to give the student practice and to ensure that he/she does not fall behind in work.
Homework in this course is required to be an individual effort. Collaborative efforts on homework are not permitted
unless specified by the instructor. Periodically, announced quizzes may be given on the assigned problems or other topics
and graded for accuracy. If you are having difficulty with an assignment, please contact me by email for help or visit
during office hours.
Tests
There will be two exams during the semester and a Final Exam at the end of the course. The use of computers, cell
phones, iPads, etc. is prohibited during the tests. Only a “stand alone” calculator that cannot communicate with any other
device is permitted.
In the event that a test is missed without previous arrangement with the instructor, a grade of “zero” will be assigned and
NO makeup test will be offered. This policy will not be waived except under extenuating circumstances and at the
discretion of the instructor.
Final Exam
The final exam will be comprehensive.
Computer Usage in Class
Students are permitted to use computers during class for note-taking and other class-related work ONLY. Those
using computers during class for work not related to that class, such as internet surfing, playing games or doing
home-work for other courses, MUST leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period.
2
MEGR 3092/7092 – Tire Mechanics
Spring 2014
Disclaimer
Assignment sheets and course content are subject to modification when circumstances or sound pedagogy dictate and as
the course progresses. If changes are made, you will be given due notice.
Accommodations
Students in this course seeking accommodations to disabilities must first consult with the Office of Disability Services and
follow the instructions of that office for obtaining accommodations.
Academic Integrity Policy
Students have the responsibility to know and observe the requirements of the UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic
Integrity (1999-2001 Catalog, pages 375). This code forbids cheating, fabrication of falsification of information, multiple
submission of academic work, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, and complicity in academic dishonesty. Any
special requirements or permission regarding academic integrity in this course will be stated by the instructor, and are
binding on the students. Academic evaluations in this course include a judgment that the student's work is free from
academic dishonesty of any type; and grades in this course therefore should be and will be adversely affected by academic
dishonesty. Students who violate the code can be expelled from UNC Charlotte. The normal penalty for a first offense is
zero credit on the work involving dishonesty and further substantial reduction of the course grade. In almost all cases the
course grade is reduced to F. Copies of the code can be obtained from the Dean of Students Office. Standards of
academic integrity will be enforced in this course. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonestly to the
course instructor.
3
MEGR 3092/7092 – Tire Mechanics
Spring 2014
Class Number
Date
Class Topic*
Chapter reading*
1
1/8/2014
Introduction, Tire basics
Chapter 1 / 1-3.4
2
1/13/2014
Tire Testing
Chapter 1 / 4
3
1/15/2014
Tire Manufacturing
Chapter 1 / 5
4
1/20/2014
Tire Care
Chapter 1 / 6
5
1/22/2014
Mechanical Properties of Rubber
Chapter 2 / 1-2
6
1/27/2014
Rubber Friction
Chapter 2 / 3
7
1/29/2014
Rubber Abrasion and Aging
Chapter 2 / 4-5
8
2/3/2014
Tire Cord to Rubber bonding
Chapter 3
9
2/5/2014
Mechanics of Cord-Rubber Composite Materials
Chapter 4
10
2/10/2014
Tire Load Capacity
Chapter 5
11
2/12/2014
Tire Stress Analysis
Chapter 6
12
2/17/2014
Exam #1
13
2/19/2014
Contact Patch Phenomena (Footprint)
Chapter 7 / 1-2
14
2/24/2014
Contact Patch Phenomena (Equipment)
Chapter 7 / 3
15
2/26/2014
Contact Patch Phenomena (Physics)
Chapter 7 / 4
-
3/3/2014
No Class, Spring Recess
-
3/5/2014
No Class, Spring Recess
16
3/10/2014
Forces and Moments
Chapter 8 / 1-3
17
3/12/2014
F&M (measurement)
Chapter 8 / 4
18
3/17/2014
F&M (characteristics)
Chapter 8 / 5-6
19
3/19/2014
F&M (modeling)
Chapter 8 / 7
20
3/24/2014
F&M (modeling)
Chapter 8 / 7
21
3/26/2014
Tire Noise and Vibration
Chapter 9
22
3/31/2014
Waves in Rotating Tires
Chapter 10
23
4/2/2014
Rubber Friction and Tire Traction
Chapter 11
24
4/7/2014
Exam #2
25
4/9/2014
Rolling Resistance
Chapter 12
26
4/14/2014
Rubber Abrasion and Tire Wear
Chapter 13
27
4/16/2014
Vehicle Steady-State Handling Behavior
Chapter 14
28
4/21/2014
Non-Destructive Tests and Inspections
Chapter 16
29
4/23/2014
Tire Standards and Specifications
Chapter 17
30
4/28/2014
Review for Final Exam
31
TBD
Final Exam (cumulative)
* subject to change at instructors discretion
4