THE STATIC FORCE CALIBRATION OF A SKID RESISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM

The report describes procedures for the calibration and control of a skid resistance measuring system, the FHWA Interim Reference System. This system employs a tow vehicle and two-wheeled skid trailer. The procedures are chosen to minimize errors, leading to an increased confidence in the measurement results. Equations of static equilibrium for the skid trailer are derived and experimentally verified. The motions of the system in response to static force are measured and shown to depend on tow vehicle as well as trailer characteristics. Variables affecting the force calibration are identified. These include hitch height, trailer weight, lateral force on the test tire, center of support of the test tire, temperature of the test tire and force transducer, and inflation pressure. The use of a force plate as a calibrator is described. It is shown that the calibrator must itself have been calibrated under conditions covering its use with the trailer. Calibration of the force plate under combined vertical and traction force is described. The procedures are adaptable to other similar skid resistance measuring systems.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Bureau of Standards

  Engineering Mechanics Section
  Washington, DC  United States  20234

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kearns, R W
  • WARD, J F
• Publication Date: 1976-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 88 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calibration; Height; Loads; Measuring instruments; Pavements; Skid resistance; Skid resistance tests; Skid trailers; Statics; Testing; Tires; Traction; Traffic safety; Trailers; Transducers; Weight; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral loads
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00174728
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NBSIR-76-1175 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 12 1978 12:00AM