ASTM F811-02(2016)

Standard Practice for Accelerometer Use in Vehicles for Tire Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The measured accelerometer output can be used to calculate traction properties of combined tire-vehicle systems for passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks through use of applicable methods of testing.  
4.2 This practice is intended to achieve uniformity in test vehicle accelerometer use and in accelerometer signal processing. Through such usage, a basis for meaningful comparisons of test results from different sources will be obtained.  
4.3 This practice is not applicable to accelerometers used in destructive testing, such as vehicle crash tests or vehicle vibration measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers guidelines for using accelerometers in test vehicles to evaluate dynamic accelerations resulting from various maneuvers such as braking, accelerating, or cornering.  
1.2 This practice is applicable to accelerometers that are rigidly attached to the body of the test vehicle or stabilized to the earth-fixed axis system by means of a gyroscope.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are given in Section 6.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2015
• ICS: 83.160.01 - Tyres in general
• Technical Committee: F09 - Tires
• Drafting Committee: F09.10 - Equipment, Facilities and Calibration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F811-02(2010) - Standard Practice for Accelerometer Use in Vehicles for Tire Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016
• Refers: ASTM F538-09 - Standard Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM F538-03 - Standard Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Refers: ASTM F538-99 - Standard Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM F1572-21 - Standard Test Methods for Tire Performance Testing on Snow and Ice Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016

Overview

ASTM F811-02(2016), Standard Practice for Accelerometer Use in Vehicles for Tire Testing, is a critical guideline developed by ASTM International. This practice provides comprehensive procedures and requirements for using accelerometers in vehicles during tire testing. It focuses on passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks to evaluate dynamic accelerations that result from maneuvers such as braking, accelerating, and cornering. By standardizing accelerometer use and signal processing, ASTM F811-02(2016) enables meaningful comparison of tire performance results across different test facilities and organizations, improving consistency and reliability in tire evaluation.

Key Topics

• Accelerometer Guidelines: Defines setup, mounting (body-mounted or gyro-stabilized), calibration, and operation of accelerometers for vehicle-based tire testing.
• Dynamic Acceleration Measurement: Focuses on measuring vehicle acceleration in longitudinal (x), lateral (y), and vertical (z) axes during real-world maneuvers.
• Signal Processing & Filtering: Outlines the use of low-pass filters and bandwidth requirements to minimize noise from road, tire, and vehicle-induced vibrations.
• Calibration Procedures: Details practical calibration techniques, including static calibration with rotary tables and regular verification of accuracy.
• Uniform Data Collection: Promotes standardized data collection and reporting, enabling direct comparison of results from varying sources and platforms.
• Applicability & Limitations: Excludes use of accelerometers in destructive tests (e.g., crash tests, vibration tests) and stresses the importance of proper safety and regulatory compliance.

Applications

ASTM F811-02(2016) is widely used in the automotive, tire manufacturing, and research sectors to validate and optimize tire performance. Key application areas include:

• Tire Performance Testing: Quantitative measurement of traction properties using accelerometer output under different driving scenarios.
• Comparative Evaluations: Standardized procedures ensure that results from different facilities or testing organizations are directly comparable.
• Product Development: Automotive and tire engineers utilize results to assess and enhance the safety, handling, and ride comfort of new tire designs on various vehicles.
• Regulatory Compliance: Provides a framework for organizations to demonstrate compliance with industry standards and support product approvals.
• Academic & Engineering Research: Supports research activities in vehicle dynamics, tire-road interaction, and advanced control system development.

Related Standards

For comprehensive tire and vehicle testing, users of ASTM F811-02(2016) often reference the following related standards and guidelines:

• ASTM F538: Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Performance of Tires - establishes common language for tire testing.
• ISO and SAE Standards (where applicable): For international harmonization and broader compliance in vehicle and tire testing practices.
• Other ASTM Practices: Covering equipment calibration, signal processing, and instrument validation in automotive testing environments.

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Keywords: ASTM F811-02, accelerometer use in vehicles, tire testing, vehicle accelerometer, traction measurement, standardized testing, body-mounted accelerometer, gyro-stabilized accelerometer, dynamic acceleration, automotive standards, signal processing, tire performance testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F811 − 02 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Accelerometer Use in Vehicles for Tire Testing
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF811;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.4 gyro-stabilized accelerometer, n—a precision vertical
gyroscope fitted with one to three accelerometers to provide
1.1 Thispracticecoversguidelinesforusingaccelerometers
orthogonal measurements referenced to the earth-fixed axis
in test vehicles to evaluate dynamic accelerations resulting
system. F538
from various maneuvers such as braking, accelerating, or
3.1.5 servo accelerometer, n—an accelerometer containing
cornering.
servo mechanisms, electronics, and a seismic element to sense
1.2 This practice is applicable to accelerometers that are
inertial reaction. F538
rigidly attached to the body of the test vehicle or stabilized to
3.1.6 strain gage accelerometer, n—an accelerometer using
the earth-fixed axis system by means of a gyroscope.
strain gages to sense the motion of the seismic element. F538
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.2.1 performance accelerometer, n—a packaged accelera-
only.
tionmeasuringsystemwithintegraldataprocessingcapability.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 The measured accelerometer output can be used to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
calculate traction properties of combined tire-vehicle systems
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
for passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks through use
tions are given in Section 6.
of applicable methods of testing.
4.2 This practice is intended to achieve uniformity in test
2. Referenced Documents
vehicle accelerometer use and in accelerometer signal process-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ing. Through such usage, a basis for meaningful comparisons
F538Terminology Relating to the Characteristics and Per-
of test results from different sources will be obtained.
formance of Tires
4.3 This practice is not applicable to accelerometers used in
3. Terminology destructive testing, such as vehicle crash tests or vehicle
vibration measurements.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 accelerometer, n—an instrument that senses inertial
5. Apparatus
reaction to measure linear or angular acceleration. F538
5.1 Body-Mounted Accelerometer—An accelerometer shall
3.1.2 bandwidth, [1/T], n—the range of frequencies within
be used to measure vehicle accelerations in any of the three
whichcertainperformancecharacteristicsoccur;specificlimits
primary vehicle axes (use x, y, z as illustrated in Fig. 1) and
normally apply. F538
shall have the following specifications:
3.1.3 g, n—a unit of acceleration where 1 g is equal to the 5.1.1 Range—The full-scale range of the accelerometer
2 2
acceleration of gravity, 9.8 m/s (32.2 ft/s ). F538
shallbeatleast 61.0gandnotmorethan 65.0gforunitsused
inthexandyaxes,andatleast 62.0gandnotmorethan 65.0
g for units used in the z axis.
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F09 on Tires and is
5.1.2 Accuracy—Amplitude accuracy shall be equal or bet-
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F09.10 on Equipment, Facilities and
ter than 61% of full scale including all error sources.
Calibration.
5.1.3 Bandwidth—The frequency response of the complete
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016. Published February 2016. Originally
system shall be from DC to a minimum of 20 Hz. The output
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F811–02 (2010).
DOI: 10.1520/F0811-02R16.
shall not vary more than 62% of the static output over this
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
frequency range.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1.4 Temperature—The operating temperature range shall
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. be, as a minimum, between −23 and 66°C (−10 and 150°F)
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F811 − 02 (2016)
FIG. 1 Sign Convention
with a temperature sensitivity of less than 0.054 %⁄°C considers the roll rates for several different vehicle suspension
(0.03%⁄°F) of full scale of the sensor. combinations and will adjust the data accordingly. The mini-
5.1.5 Cross-Axis Sensitivity—The measured output shall not mum specifications of these units is as follows:
be affected by more than 63% of the accelerations acting
Transducer System: One, two or three accelerometers in orthogonal
alignment either referenced to earth gravity
perpendicular to the measurement axis.
or component axis
5.2 Gyro-Stabilized Accelerometer—Accelerometers that
Measurement Resolution: ±0.01 g
Measurement Orientation: g’s measured in plane of road
are attached to a gyro-stabilized platform for the purpose of
Data Sample Rate: Ten (10) samples/second (minimum)
eliminating the effects of vehicle pitch or roll attitudes must
Anti-Alias Filter: Third order Bessel function or Nyquist filter
meet the requirements of 5.1. to 2.56:1 (25 samples/s)
5.2.1 Gyro-Stabilized Platform—The platform shall main-
6. Hazards
tain the accelerometer(s) in a horizontal plane for X and Y
axes, and in a vertical plane for Z axis, referenced to the earth
6.1 Upon completion of the installation, verify that vehicle
within 60.25° during data collection.
dynamics and vibrations acting on the accelerometer do not
5.3 Low-Pass Filter—A low-pass filter shall be used to produceglevelsoutsidetheoperatingrangeorproducevoltage
minimize the effect of vehicle-, tire-, and roadway-related levels that would exceed the input rating of the filter.
vibration on the data. The filter shall be flat 62%(60.2 dB)
6.1.1 When using a body mounted accelerometer or gyro-
from DC to 2.5 Hz,−3 dB at 7.5 6 3 Hz with a roll-off stabilizedplatform,observetheunfilteredaccelerometeroutput
between24and48dBper
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