Determination of the Three Dimensional Contact Area between Tractor Tire and Soil

Abstract

Methods for the determination of 3-D contact area between a tire and soil were presented to improve tire performance and to clarify soil compaction. The contact area during tire operation on the soil was calculated with radial, lateral and longitudinal deflections of the tire and the sinkage. The device with a laser sensor was developed to measure the distances from a fixed position to soil surface for the calculation of contact area under static condition. The contact area under static condition was 1.3 times as that under operating condition. The soil deformations in specific soil depth were measured with the device. The effect of tire lug on soil deformation was recognized in the layer shallower than 10cm of initial soil condition.