Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 April 2006
An analysis is presented for the non-inertial descent of an inclined sinkage element (a rectangular prism) through a viscous fluid onto a rigid surface. The effects of sinkage-element deformability, slip velocity and time-dependent loading conditions are considered. Unlike previous analyses no assumptions are made a priori about the form of the pressure distribution during, or the effect of corners on, inclined sinkage. The results for rigid square plates are compared with those of previous analyses and with the limited amount of experimental data available. Results are also presented for a deformable sinkage element, which is used to model the action of an individual tyre tread element on a wet pavement. An inclination function based on available data on the tyre surface shape in the footprint region is used. The loading function for this case is based on measured values of tyre footprint pressure.