Aircraft tyres – measurement of mechanical characteristics

The paper is devoted to the measurement of aircraft tyres’ characteristics. Namely the low and high frequency characterisation of aircraft tyres is performed. A new testing system for the indoor characterisation of aircraft tyres is presented. Two test rigs, one for the low frequency and one for high frequency tests, have been designed and realised. Measured data are processed according with the standard PAC2002, together with a short-wavelength intermediate frequency (SWIFT) model and a 3D tandem cam filter for high frequency dynamic and obstacle enveloping, i.e., the tyre model developed for automotive tyre has been employed to describe the behaviour of aircraft tyres. The results show that the low frequency behaviour of aircraft tyres can be accurately reproduced by PAC2002. Obstacle enveloping and high frequency characteristics are captured by the considered model with a sufficient degree of accuracy for engineering applications. Should dedicated noise-vibration harshness simulations be performed, this model, developed for automotive applications, should be revised for aircraft tyres.