Friction Tests on Contaminated Road Surfaces

More information

Main author

Lambourn, Richard

Co-Authors

Viner, Helen

Type of media

PDF

Publication type

Lecture

Publication year

2005

Publisher

14. EVU-Jahrestagung, Bratislava 2005

Citation

-

The Portable Skid Resistance Tester

English, 24 pages, 30 figures, 4 references
Keywords: braking experiment, friction

It is well known that the presence of contaminants in the tyre/road interface reduces the friction generated between the tyre and the road. Water is a common contaminant and ist effects on tyre/road friction have been extensively investigated by many researchers. However, the effect of other contaminants, for example oil, sand, mud, fuel or leaves, has received very little attention. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the friction of various contaminants on road surfaces. The main part of the study consisted of a set of full-scale tests in which the tyre/road friction of two different surfaces was measured with a pavement friction tester (a towing vehicle and a trailer) and with two 'skid cars' which were braked to a halt with locked wheels. The contaminants were sand, clay, diesel fuel, engine oil, absorbent material and water. To the surprise of the research team, it turned out that the contaminants do not have the dramatic effect on tyre/road friction in the skid cars tests that was expected.