Hydroplanning and Skid resistance Analysis Using Numerical Modeling

The occurrences of wet-weather accidents, from the perspective of pavement surface characteristics, can be caused by either poor skid resistance offered from tire-fluid-pavement interaction or hydroplaning. Research since the 1920s had been focusing on two aspects, namely, the measurement and prediction of skid resistance, and the development of strategies to reduce wet-weather accidents. Despite improvements in measurement techniques, the understanding of skid resistance and hydroplaning mechanisms have not improved much over the past decades due to a lack of development in the theoretical, analytical or numerical models that can explain and simulate the mechanisms. This results in the reliance of empirical experimentally-based relationships in skid resistance and hydroplaning speed predictions. This study attempts to develop numerical models to simulate hydroplaning and skid resistance of locked wheels on wet pavements.