MEASUREMENT OF DYNAMIC WHEEL LOAD DISTRIBUTIONS

This paper describes the use of special measurement methods with the novel Modulas sensor, which had been developed by Kistler Instrumente AG in Switzerland. The modulas sensor consists of 32 separate quartz sensor elements. Each element measures the vertical forces on an area of 15 mm in width and 50 mm in length. It allows one to analyze tyre footprint forces with a lateral resolution of 15 mm and crosstalk between the elements of only 2%. The dynamic measurement of the wheel load distribution is essential not only in tyre and car research for the assessment of force and pressure distribution within the footprint, but also in road research for the investigation of factors which lead to excessive damage to pavement or road construction.