8.4 - Components of Rolling Resistance
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Foundation of Rolling Resistance
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Today we will discuss rolling resistance, which refers to the resistance faced by machinery wheels while moving over a surface. Can anyone explain why understanding this resistance is critical in earthmoving?
It might help to determine how much power the machines need to operate efficiently.
Exactly! Remember, rolling resistance can significantly affect power requirements. Now, can anyone think of the types of surfaces affecting this resistance?
Concrete would have less resistance compared to earthen roads.
Right! Hard surfaces like concrete reduce resistance, while softer surfaces can increase it due to factors like tire penetration.
Components of Rolling Resistance
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We have two main components of rolling resistance: surface resistance and penetration resistance. Can someone suggest what each might involve?
Surface resistance is probably due to the weight and the type of surface.
Exactly! And penetration resistance occurs when tires sink into softer surfaces. What could happen if a tire sinks too much?
The machine would need more power to keep moving!
Exactly! This can increase operational costs as well. Remember, maintaining the haul route is important for reducing these resistances.
Factors Affecting Rolling Resistance
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Let's delve into the factors that influence rolling resistance. Can anyone name a few?
The type of surface certainly matters!
Correct! Now consider your machine's mounting type. How does that affect resistance?
Track-mounted might perform differently than wheel-mounted?
Absolutely! A track-mounted machine may reduce the penetration resistance compared to wheels, and maintaining proper tire pressure and tread dimension is crucial for minimizing surface resistance.
Calculating Rolling Resistance
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Let's look at calculating rolling resistance. If a vehicle weighs 20 tons and the rolling resistance is 70 kg per ton, how do we calculate the total tractive effort?
We multiply the weight by the rolling resistance value.
Exactly! So, what would that be?
That would be 1400 kg of tractive effort needed.
Well done! This calculation is crucial for selecting appropriate equipment.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
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Rolling resistance is a critical factor in the performance of earthmoving equipment, impacting power requirements. It is affected by surface type, equipment mounting, and maintenance of the travel surface. Understanding its components, such as surface resistance and penetration resistance, is crucial for efficient machine operation.
Detailed
Detailed Overview of Rolling Resistance
In earthmoving operations, rolling resistance is defined as the resistance encountered by wheels or tracks of machinery rolling over a surface. It varies significantly based on the type of surfaceβwhether rigid (like asphalt or concrete) or soft (like unpaved roads)βand the condition of that surface. For optimal performance, understanding the factors affecting rolling resistance is important. Key components include:
- Surface Resistance: This results from the machinery's weight and the interaction between the wheels/track and the surface. For example, the rolling resistance on concrete differs from that on an earthen road.
- Penetration Resistance: This occurs when tires on soft surfaces sink into the material, necessitating additional effort to maintain motion. A tire's contact area and pressure affect this type of resistance.
By maintaining the condition of the haul route and using appropriate equipment configurations, operators can minimize rolling resistance, leading to reduced power requirements and operational costs. This makes understanding rolling resistance influential in both engineering and economical aspects of earthmoving operations.
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Overview of Rolling Resistance
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Rolling resistance is nothing but what is the resistance offered by the hauled route to the wheel which is rolling over the particular surface. So, what is the resistance offered by the hauled route to the wheel which is rolling over the particular surface, so that is what is your rolling resistance. So, resistance to the motion of equipment on a level surface is called as rolling resistance.
Detailed Explanation
Rolling resistance is the force that must be overcome to keep a wheel rolling on a surface. This resistance is encountered by the wheels of vehicles or equipment as they move. It arises from the interaction between the wheels and the surface beneath them. On level surfaces, this force is known as rolling resistance.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine riding a bicycle on different surfaces. On a smooth asphalt road, you can ride easily and quickly, but if you switch to a gravel path, you feel a noticeable drag. This is similar to rolling resistance; the rougher the surface, the more energy you need to expend to keep moving.
Factors Influencing Rolling Resistance
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So, what is the resistance encountered by the wheel, when it is moving on a particular hauled route. That depends upon the type of the hauled route; it may be different for different haul route surfaces. Say for example, for a concrete road the rolling resistance maybe different, for an asphalt road, it may be different, for the earthen roads it may be different.
Detailed Explanation
The rolling resistance experienced by a wheel can change based on the type of surface it's rolling over. Concrete surfaces typically provide less resistance compared to soft or uneven surfaces like earth or gravel. This means that the smoother the surface, the less force is needed to maintain movement.
Examples & Analogies
Think about how a car drives on a highway versus on a dirt road. On the highway, the smooth pavement allows for easier travel, while the uneven dirt road requires more effort to drive through. This change in ease of movement illustrates how different surfaces affect rolling resistance.
Impact of Road Maintenance
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If you are properly compacting the earthen roads maintaining the optimum moisture content in the earthen roads, it can even give you a better performance equivalent to hard roads.
Detailed Explanation
Proper maintenance of roads can significantly reduce rolling resistance. By ensuring that earthen roads are compacted and have the right moisture levels, they can perform similarly to hard, paved surfaces. This maintenance reduces the resistance encountered, which can lead to more efficient operation and lower power requirements.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a well-kept garden path versus a neglected muddy trail. The garden path is easy and pleasant to walk on, while the muddy trail requires more effort to navigate. Just like the garden path is maintained for easy access, proper upkeep of earthen roads makes them easier for heavy machinery to traverse.
Rolling Resistance Components
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This rolling resistance you can even call it as wheel resistance or track resistance depending upon what type of mounting your machine is going to have. So, it may be a wheel mounted machine or it can be a crawler or track-mounted machine.
Detailed Explanation
Rolling resistance can vary based on whether the vehicle is wheel-mounted or track-mounted. Each type of mounting affects how the vehicle interacts with the ground surface. For wheel-mounted vehicles, the resistance is often referred to as wheel resistance, while for track-mounted vehicles, it is known as track resistance.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a farm tractor versus a bulldozer. The tractor has wheels, making it easier to maneuver on flat, hard surfaces. Meanwhile, the bulldozer uses tracks that distribute weight more evenly over soft ground but experiences different types of rolling resistance due to its design. Both machines have rolling resistance, but the type of resistance differs based on their configuration.
Measurement of Rolling Resistance
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This rolling resistance is expressed in kilograms of tractive effort. So, rolling resistance is expressed in kilograms of tractive effort or pounds of resistance, these are just different types of units.
Detailed Explanation
Rolling resistance is quantified in terms of tractive effort, which can be measured in kilograms per ton. This allows engineers to assess how much effort is needed to move machinery over specific surfaces. It's essential to have this measurement to ensure that selected machinery can operate effectively under given conditions.
Examples & Analogies
When you push a heavy box across a floor, you can feel how much effort is needed depending on the floor type. Similarly, engineers calculate the 'effort' required to move heavy construction machines, ensuring they choose the right equipment for the job.
Example Calculation of Tractive Effort
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Now let us see how to estimate the penetration resistance. Say when a tire penetrates into a surface, so the resistance, the rolling resistance increases.
Detailed Explanation
When a tire sinks into a surface, it requires additional force to pull it back out. This increased need for effort is described as penetration resistance. Therefore, when calculating rolling resistance, it's important to also consider how deeply tires may sink into the ground, as this increases the overall resistance that must be overcome.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine walking in soft sand. The more you sink into the sand, the more difficult it becomes to walk. Similarly, when a vehicleβs tires sink into the ground, it requires more force to move forward, highlighting the effects of penetration resistance.
Key Concepts
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Surface Resistance: The resistance related to the contact between the wheels and the ground.
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Penetration Resistance: The resistance that arises from tires sinking into the soft ground.
Examples & Applications
An excavator has a gross weight of 20 tons and operates on a concrete surface requiring a rolling resistance of 70 kg per ton, needing 1400 kg of tractive effort.
A tractor with broad tires operating on a soft earthen road experiences less sinking and thus lower penetration resistance compared to a narrow-tread tire.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Rolling resistance can vary a lot, keep surfaces smooth, give it a thought!
Stories
A bulldozer faced challenges when crossing muddy terrain; it got stuck because its narrow tires sank too deep. It learned to switch to wider tires with lower pressure, ensuring a smoother ride and less resistance.
Memory Tools
RSP: Remember Surface and Penetration - components to keep your machines in motion!
Acronyms
R.E.S.P
Rolling Equipment Surface Penetration - the main elements of rolling resistance.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Rolling Resistance
The resistance encountered by wheels or tracks when moving over a surface.
- Surface Resistance
Resistance resulting from the interaction of wheels/track with the road surface.
- Penetration Resistance
Resistance that occurs when tires sink into soft surfaces.
- Tractive Effort
Usable force at the point of contact between the tire and ground needed to maintain motion.
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