Are the Tires in TF/FC still "Chunking"

[Toejam]

I remember 10-15 years ago that was the Topic that dominated this sport, I haven't heard it mentioned in some time. Has Goodyear solved the problem?

 

[Just Paul]

Since they took the square edges off, and started rounding them more, the chunking has gone way down.

 

[CrewMan]

So with the square edge....the chunking of the tire came the type of shape the tire was creating with the surface at speed? Not sure if I said that right but I think you know what I am trying to ask.

 

[CrewGuy]

Square edge= more weight/stress

 

[Draw 3D]

Actually, square corners are stress risers.

 

[rckymtn3]

So with the square edge....the chunking of the tire came the type of shape the tire was creating with the surface at speed? Not sure if I said that right but I think you know what I am trying to ask.

Maybe the easiest way to explain it would be to imagine two lengths of rubber the same width (let's say 2" across) and two feet long. One is a round cross section like an o-ring, and one is a square cross section. Now imagine bending them over until the opposite ends touch each other. You can imagine the square piece crimping and making very sharp direction changes, especially in the corners of the "square" where you can imagine the cross section deforming radically. The o-ring version is much smoother in its direction change, being able to spread the stress across a linear surface area.

It's a pretty smart (simple=elegant) solution. Kudos who ever (man or machine) looked at the design and saw the flaw.