Tyre factors and vehicle handling

The paper consists of two parts. First an outline is given of the functions of a tyre as a vehicle component with a discussion of the development of mathematical models describing steady–state cornering behaviour. Also, the concept of effective tyre characteristics are discussed, which represent the combined effects of tyre and elastic suspension and steering properties. The second part considers the motion of the vehicle over a horizontal flat surface with the longitudinal speed constant. After a discussion of steady–state cornering behaviour and the introduction of a handling diagram showing regions of under–steer and over–steer, and regions of stable and unstable motion, the dynamic solution of the plane motion has been studied. In the phase plane, domains of attraction can be indicated beyond which the motion becomes difficult or impossible to control.