Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T06:58:41.814Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Runway Slipperiness and Slush

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

Walter B. Horne
Affiliation:
NASA Langley Research Center
Trafford J. W. Leland
Affiliation:
NASA Langley Research Center

Summary

A review is made of recent research in the United States relating to runway slipperiness and to slush-drag or fluid-drag effects on aircraft ground performance. The formation of fluid spray and its drag effects on aircraft are traced from spray origin at the intersection of the tyre and runway to impingement on the aircraft over the complete aircraft ground-velocity range. Six manifestations of tyre hydroplaning are presented and discussed: fluid-drag peak, tyre spin-down, loss of aircraft directional stability, loss of aircraft braking traction, suppression of bow wave, and progressive detachment of the tyre footprint from the fluid-covered runway surface as ground speed is increased. A convenient formula for estimating tyre-hydroplaning speed is indicated to be

where Vp=hydroplaning speed, knots

p=tyre-inflation pressure, lb/sq in.

Comparison with available experimental data is shown. The effects of fluid viscosity and density on runway slipperiness are discussed. The effects of some runway-surface textures, tyre-tread patterns, and aircraft landing-gear wheel arrangements on slipperiness are described. The paper also includes indications of areas of interest that need further study.

Type
Take-Off and Landing Problems
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1963

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Joyner, Upshur T. and Horne, Walter B. Considerations on a Large Hydraulic Jet Catapult. NACA TN 3203, 1954.Google Scholar
2.Joyner, Upshur T., Horne, Walter B. and Leland, Trafford J. W.Investigations on the Ground Performance of Aircraft Relating to Wet Runway Braking and Slush Drag. NASA paper presented to AGARD Flight Mechanics Panel (Paris, France), 14th-18th January 1963.Google Scholar
3.Horne, Walter B. and LelandTrafford, J. W. Trafford, J. W. Influence of Tire Tread Patern and Runway Surface Condition on Braking Friction and Rolling Resistance of a Modern Aircraft Tire. NASA TN D-1376, 1962.Google Scholar
4.Horne, Walter B. and Joyner, Upshur T. Some Effects of Runway Slush and Water on the Operation of Airplanes, With Particular Reference to Jet Transports. Preprint No. 275A, Soc. Automotive Eng., January 1961.Google Scholar
5.Horne, Walter B., Joyner, Upshur T. and Leland, Trafford J. W. Studies of the Retardation Force Developed on an Aircraft Tire Rolling in Slush or Water. NASA TN D-552, 1960.Google Scholar
6.Sawyer, Richard H., Batterson, Sidney A. and Harrin, Eziaslav N. Tire-to-Surface Friction Especially Under Wet Conditions. NASA Memo 2-23-59L, 1959.Google Scholar
7.Batterson, Sidney A. Braking and Landing Tests on Some New Types of Airplane Landing Mats and Membranes. NASA TN D-154, 1959.Google Scholar
8.Sawyer, Richard H. and Kolnick, Joseph J. Tire-to-Surface Friction Coefficient Measurements With a C-123 B Airplane on Various Runway Surfaces. NASA TR R-20, 1959.Google Scholar
9.Trant, James P. Jr.NACA Research on Friction Measurements. Proc. First Int. Skid Prevention Conf., Pt. I, Virginia Council of Highway Invest, and Res. (Charlottesville, Va.), pp. 297308, August 1959.Google Scholar
10.Harrin, Eziaslav N. LOW Tire Friction and Cornering Forces on a Wet Surface. NACA TN 4406, 1958.Google Scholar
11.Harrin, Ezraslav N. Investigation of Tandem-Wheel and Air-Jet Arrangements for Improving Braking Friction on Wet Surfaces. NASA TN D-405, 1960.Google Scholar
12.Sparks, Allan R. Report on Effect of Slush on Ground Run Distance to Lift-Off. Doc. No. D6-5198, Boeing Airplane Co., January 1960.Google Scholar
13.Anon. Joint Technical Conference on Slush Drag and Braking Problems. FAA-NASA, December 1961.Google Scholar
14.Sommers, Daniel E., Marcy, John F., Klueg, Eugene P. and Conley, Don W. Runway Slush Effects on the Takeoff of a Jet Transport. Final Report, Project No. 308-3X, Federal Aviation Agency, May 1962.Google Scholar
15.Shrager, Jack J. Vehicular Measurements of Effective Runway Friction. Final Report, Project No. 308-3X (Amendment No. 1), Federal Aviation Agency, May 1962.Google Scholar
16.Hoef, Kenneth W. Airplane Stopping Capability on Wet and Dry Runway Surfaces. Doc. No. D6-7442, Boeing Air plane Company, July 1961.Google Scholar
17.Dillard, J. H. and Mahone, D. C. Comparison of Several Methods of Measuring Skid Resistance—Tappahanock, Va., 1962. (Committee paper to be presented at Annual Meeting ASTM Committee E-17 on Skid Resistance. Atlantic City, N.J., June 1963. Available from ASTM Committee E-17).Google Scholar
18.Anon. Hazards of Tire Hydroplaning to Aircraft Operation. NASA Langley Research Center Film Serial No. L-775, 1963.Google Scholar
19.Collar, A. R. On the Drag Due to Slush. Aeronautical Research Council 22 491, E.P. 675, CN 644, 9th January 1961.Google Scholar
20.Saal, R. N. J.Laboratory Investigations Into the Slipperiness of Roads. Chemistry and Industry, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 37, 3rd January 1936.Google Scholar
21.Anon. Flight Tests to Determine the Coefficients of Friction Between an Aircraft Tyre and Various Wet Runway Surfaces. Part I. Preliminary Instrumentation-Proving Trials at Wisley Airfield. S & T Memo. 15/59, Ministry of Aviation, Sept. 1959.Google Scholar
22.Nichols, F. P. Jr., Dillard, J. H. and Alwood, R. L. Skid Resistance Pavements in Virginia. Reprint No. 18, University of Virginia. Virginia Council of Highway Investigation and Research, June 1957.Google Scholar
23.Dillard, J. H. and Alwood, R. L. Providing Skid-Resistant Roads in Virginia. Reprint No. 20, University of Virginia— Virginia Council of Highway Investigation and Research, July 1958.Google Scholar
24.Giles, C. G. and Lander, F. T. W.The Skid-Resisting Properties of Wet Surfaces at High Speeds: Exploratory Measurements With a Small Braking Force Trailer. Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Vol. 60, pp. 8394, Feb. 1956.Google Scholar
25.Horne, Walter B., Smiley, Robert F. and Stephenson, Bertrand H. Low-Speed Yawed-Rolling Characteristics and Other Elastic Properties of a Pair of 26-Inch-Diameter, 12- Ply-Rating, Type VII Aircraft Tires. NACA TN 3604, 1956.Google Scholar