Example Problem on Tractive Effort Calculation - 9.1 | Getting Started 14 | Construction Engineering & Management - Vol 1
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Introduction to Tractive Effort

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today we are going to talk about tractive effort, which is essential in earthmoving operations. Can anyone tell me what they think tractive effort means?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it the force that helps the machine move forward?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It's the force required to maintain movement by overcoming various resistances encountered on a surface. Now, what types of resistances can you think of?

Student 2
Student 2

Could it be rolling resistance?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Rolling resistance is one key factor. It varies depending on the type of surface. Let's remember this with the acronym 'RAP'—Rolling resistance, Area of contact, and Power needed. Can anyone add another factor?

Student 3
Student 3

Penetration resistance, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Good job! Rolling and penetration resistances are crucial in calculating the total tractive effort needed. Now, let's summarize what we've learned!

Calculating Rolling Resistance

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we understand what tractive effort is, how do we calculate rolling resistance?

Student 4
Student 4

Is it based on the weight of the equipment and the resistance per ton?

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! For example, if a vehicle weighs 20 tons with a rolling resistance of 70 kg per ton, how would you find the total resistance?

Student 1
Student 1

Multiply 20 tons by 70 kg, which equals 1400 kg of tractive effort!

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! Remember this calculation method as it will be essential in practical applications for machinery.

Understanding Penetration Resistance

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s move on to penetration resistance. When do we need to consider this?

Student 2
Student 2

When the tires sink into a softer surface?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The additional effort required to pull the tires out of the ruts affects the overall power needed for movement. How do we calculate that?

Student 3
Student 3

It’s usually around 6 kg per centimeter of penetration, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! So, if a tire sinks 6 cm into the surface, how much additional resistance would we need to calculate?

Student 4
Student 4

36 kg—for 6 cm of penetration!

Teacher
Teacher

Great! This total resistance informs our machinery selection process as well. Let's sum up our discussion!

Applying the Concepts in Problems

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's apply what we’ve learned with an example. How would you calculate the total tractive effort for a vehicle weighing 50,000 kg with a rolling resistance of 28 kg per ton?

Student 1
Student 1

Right! We need to multiply the weight by that resistance per ton.

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! And what value would you get?

Student 2
Student 2

1400 kg, plus we have to consider the penetration resistance for every centimeter it sinks, too.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, if the tire sinks 6 cm, we would calculate 6 times 6, which is another 36 kg! So, what’s our total tractive effort?

Student 3
Student 3

It would be 1400 kg plus 36 kg, giving us 1436 kg total!

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! This process is critical for assessing equipment capabilities effectively.

Summarizing Tractive Effort Importance

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Teacher
Teacher

Why is it important to understand and calculate tractive effort in our field?

Student 4
Student 4

To choose the right equipment for specific conditions!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Providing sufficient power for effective operations helps to minimize costs and improve productivity on-site. What should we remember when assessing equipment?

Student 1
Student 1

Consider the surface type, weight of the machinery, and resistance to effectively calculate the required power!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Let's recap the significance of each concept before concluding today’s session.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section introduces the fundamental concept of tractive effort in earthmoving operations, explaining how to calculate the required power to overcome resistances such as rolling and grade resistance on various surfaces.

Standard

The section details the process of calculating tractive effort in earthmoving operations by considering factors like rolling resistance and penetration resistance. Through problem examples, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the equipment's power requirements to ensure efficient operation on different haul routes.

Detailed

Example Problem on Tractive Effort Calculation

The concept of tractive effort is crucial in understanding the power requirements for earthmoving operations. Tractive effort refers to the usable force exerted by a vehicle or equipment to overcome resistances encountered while moving. This section outlines the importance of calculating this effort accurately to optimize the selection and performance of heavy machinery.

Key Points Covered:

  1. Definition of Tractive Effort: Defined as the force needed to maintain movement of equipment over various surfaces, typically expressed in kilograms or pounds.
  2. Factors Influencing Tractive Effort: The primary factors include rolling resistance, which varies with surface type, and penetration resistance, which accounts for the additional force needed when tires sink into softer surfaces (e.g., earth vs. hard roads).
  3. Calculation Methodology:
  4. Rolling Resistance: Calculated based on weight and given resistance per ton for the specific surface.
  5. Penetration Resistance: Additional resistance considered when tires penetrate the surface, usually expressed per inch or centimeter of penetration.
  6. Example Problem: An application of these principles where gross weight and rolling resistance are provided, along with depth of tire penetration, leading to the calculation of total tractive effort.
  7. Importance in Equipment Selection: Understanding required power helps select appropriate machinery capable of handling specified tasks efficiently while minimizing costs.

Overall, mastering tractive effort calculations equips students with the fundamental tools necessary for successful earthmoving operations and equipment management.

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Understanding Tractive Effort

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Now, for better understanding, let us work out a problem on calculation of the tractive effort. So, calculate the tractive effort generated by a hauling equipment, it is gross weight is given as 50,000 kg, it is traveling on a haul route. It is rolling resistance is given to you directly you can take it from the literature for that particular haul route; it is given as 28 kg per ton. And another important thing to be noted is your tire is sinking about 6 centimeters into the travel surface. That means you have to take into account the penetration resistance also. Now we are going to find what is the total tractive effort needed to overcome this resistance is in the underfoot conditions in your project site.

Detailed Explanation

In this section, we are introducing a specific problem that illustrates how to calculate tractive effort, which is essential for understanding the power required by hauling equipment. First, we identify the key figures: the gross weight of the equipment (50,000 kg) and the rolling resistance (28 kg per ton). We also note the tire's sinking into the ground (6 centimeters), indicating there will be additional resistance to account for, known as penetration resistance. To solve this problem, we will first convert the gross weight from kilograms to tons (50,000 kg = 50 tons), and then calculate the total resistance based on the rolling resistance and the additional resistance from penetration.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are trying to push a heavy cart along different surfaces. If the cart weighs 50 tons, that's like trying to push a small car. On a smooth concrete surface, it moves easily, but push it on soft grass, and the wheels start sinking in, making it harder. This is similar to what we see here: depending on how deep the tires sink into the ground and what type of ground they are on, you'll need different amounts of force to keep the cart moving.

Calculating Total Resistance

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First step, calculate the rolling resistance based on the given values. Since rolling resistance is given as 28 kg per ton, for a gross weight of 50 tons: Rolling Resistance = 50 tons * 28 kg/ton = 1400 kg. Now, let's calculate the penetration resistance from the sinking of the tire into the surface. Given that the tire sinks 6 centimeters into the surface, we see from literature that the additional resistance increases by 6 kg per ton for each centimeter of penetration. Therefore, for 6 centimeters: Penetration Resistance = 50 tons * 6 kg/ton = 300 kg. Therefore, the total tractive effort required will be: Total Tractive Effort = Rolling Resistance + Penetration Resistance = 1400 kg + 300 kg = 1700 kg.

Detailed Explanation

To calculate the total tractive effort needed, we first determine the rolling resistance. Since the rolling resistance per ton is provided, we multiply this by the total weight in tons to get the total rolling resistance. After that, we calculate the penetration resistance caused by the tires sinking into the surface, which is added to the rolling resistance to find the overall total tractive effort. This total is significant because it informs us about the power the equipment needs to function effectively without getting stuck or bogged down.

Examples & Analogies

Consider trying to pull that heavy cart through sand. The heavier it is, the more strength you need. If it sinks deeper into the sand, it gets even harder to pull. Just like our calculation: first, we find out how hard it is to move on a firm surface (rolling resistance), then we see how much harder it gets when it sinks into soft ground (penetration resistance). Adding those two together gives us the total effort needed to keep it moving.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Tractive Effort: The force necessary to keep a machine moving.

  • Rolling Resistance: Resisting force dependent on the surface type the machine travels over.

  • Penetration Resistance: Resistance faced when tires sink into softer ground.

  • Total Tractive Effort: The sum of rolling and penetration resistances to gauge machinery power needs.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Example 1: A vehicle weighing 20 tons on an earthen road with rolling resistance of 70 kg/ton results in 1400 kg tractive effort needed.

  • Example 2: A truck grossing 50,000 kg with a rolling resistance of 28 kg/ton and sinking 6 cm into soft ground, needing to calculate both rolling and penetration resistance.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • For every road and machine that we deploy, tractive effort's the force that we must employ.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a truck on a muddy road. It struggles to soundly pass, fighting efforts of sinking that it must outclass. Each turn and bounce, rolling forces tease, till it wins the battle, and moves with ease!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember 'T-R-P' for Tractive, Rolling, and Penetration forces that impact power needs.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Use the acronym 'RAP Power' to remember Rolling, Area of contact, and Power required for effective machinery use.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Tractive Effort

    Definition:

    The usable force exerted by equipment to propel itself forward, overcoming resistances.

  • Term: Rolling Resistance

    Definition:

    Resistance encountered when a wheel rolls over a surface, impacting movement efficiency.

  • Term: Penetration Resistance

    Definition:

    Additional resistance faced when tires sink into soft surfaces, requiring more power to maintain motion.

  • Term: Grade Resistance

    Definition:

    The resistance encountered when moving uphill or downhill, which is separate from rolling resistance.