Altitude Effects on Rimpull - 3.4 | 10. Introduction to Scraper Economics | Construction Engineering & Management - Vol 2
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Understanding Rimpull

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're going to discuss rimpull, which is the force exerted at the wheel-ground contact point. Can anyone tell me why rimpull is important for scrapers?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it because it determines how well the scraper can move loads?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, Student_1! Rimpull affects not just movement but the overall productivity of the scraper. Remember, it's the usable force generated and is tied to the coefficient of traction between the wheels and the surface.

Student 2
Student 2

What happens if the rimpull is not enough?

Teacher
Teacher

Good question! If the rimpull is insufficient, the scraper will experience slippage, which leads to lower productivity and wasted fuel. So it's vital to ensure that we have enough rimpull based on the conditions.

Student 3
Student 3

How do we calculate that?

Teacher
Teacher

We determine rimpull using the formula: $$ Rimpull = Coefficient \times Weight_{driven wheels} $$ This is our starting point for calculating effective pulling power.

Teacher
Teacher

To recap, rimpull is essential for productivity, avoids slippage, and can be calculated through specific formulas. Keep these points in mind as we move on!

Altitude's Impact on Rimpull

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let's discuss altitude effects. What do you think happens to a machine's power as altitude increases?

Student 4
Student 4

Does it lose power because of less air density?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct, Student_4! As altitude rises, the engine's performance typically decreases due to reduced air density affecting the fuel mixture.

Student 1
Student 1

How much power do we lose?

Teacher
Teacher

Good inquiry! For altitudes above 300 meters, we see a reduction of 3% in available rimpull for every additional 300 meters. This must be accounted for in our productivity estimates.

Student 2
Student 2

So how do we adjust our calculations?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! After calculating the supplied rimpull, we apply the altitude correction. For example, if the supplied rimpull is 18,240 kg at 600 meters, you'd calculate 3% of that to adjust downwards.

Teacher
Teacher

So, a key takeaway is the importance of altitude in planning operations and estimating rimpull. Always remember to perform altitude corrections!

Practical Applications of Rimpull Calculations

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let's apply what we've learned. How would you apply rimpull calculations when deciding which gear to use?

Student 3
Student 3

We need to consider the supplied rimpull and the resistances we might face?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! We assess rimpull against resistances like rolling resistance and grade resistance. Can anyone remind me how to calculate those?

Student 4
Student 4

For rolling resistance, we multiply the gross weight by the percentage of rolling resistance.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly right! And for grade resistance, we use the gradient percentage. When both are known, we can decide the most effective gear.

Student 1
Student 1

And if the available rimpull is less than what’s needed for the resistance?

Teacher
Teacher

Then the gear choice wouldn't be effective for operation. You can't climb a gradient in top gear if the rimpull isn't sufficient!

Teacher
Teacher

To sum up, always evaluate the supplied rimpull against resistance needs when gearing up for effective scraper operations.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses how variations in altitude can impact the rimpull generated by scrapers, affecting their productivity and operational efficiency.

Standard

The section elaborates on the relationship between altitude and rimpull, explaining the necessary calculations to estimate the productivity of scrapers based on different scenarios, including the balance of scrapers and pushers, and the impact of altitude adjustments on operational capacity.

Detailed

Altitude Effects on Rimpull

This section outlines the critical relationship between altitude and the rimpull generated by construction machinery such as scrapers. Rimpull, defined as the usable force exerted by the machine at the wheel-ground interface, is crucial for operational efficiency in various terrains. The key points covered include:

  • Productivity Estimations: Calculating the productivity of scrapers when fewer or more than the balanced number are used. For instance, if 5 scrapers are employed, the productivity can be calculated using the formula:

$$
Efficiency (min/hr) = \frac{\text{No. of scrapers} \times \text{Vol. per load}}{\text{Cycle time of scraper}}
$$

  • Impact of Altitude: As altitude increases, the performance of internal combustion engines diminishes due to reduced air density, which impacts the fuel-to-air ratio. The section emphasizes a 3% reduction in rimpull for every 300 meters above sea level, suggesting that engineers must consider altitude effects when planning scraper operations.
  • Rimpull Calculations: The maximum usable rimpull is derived from the coefficient of traction multiplied by the weight on the powered gear. The section details various gears' supplied rimpulls and how altitude corrections affect these calculations, impacting decision-making regarding gear selection on different gradients.

Overall, understanding these dynamics is essential for optimizing a scraper's performance and ensuring effective resource use in construction projects.

Audio Book

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Understanding Rimpull

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The rimpull generated is the usable force at the point of contact between the wheel and the ground, which is essential to determine whether the force generated is sufficient to perform the required job.

Detailed Explanation

Rimpull is the force that a vehicle can apply on the ground through its wheels. It is important to know if this force is enough for the machine's intended work. If the rimpull generated by the scraper falls short of what is needed to pull loads or overcome resistance, the machine may struggle or fail to function efficiently.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a car trying to drive up a steep hill. If the car doesn’t have enough power (rimpull) due to being underloaded or having insufficient traction on the road, it will not be able to make it up the hill. Similarly, the scraper needs sufficient rimpull to do its job effectively.

Factors Affecting Rimpull

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The maximum usable rimpull depends upon the coefficient of traction between the wheel and the haul route, as well as the weight distributed on the powered running gear.

Detailed Explanation

The coefficient of traction is a measure of how well the wheels can grip the surface they are on. If the traction is low (like on a wet or slippery surface), the rimpull will also be lower since the available horizontal force from the wheels can't effectively transfer to the ground. Furthermore, the weight on the powered wheels (driving wheels) also matters; more weight means more friction and thus more traction, leading to a higher rimpull.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a person trying to push a heavy box across different surfaces. On a smooth floor, the box moves easily; on a carpet, it’s much harder because the traction decreases. The same principle applies to machinery; they need to be on surfaces that provide enough traction for effective operation.

Rimpull and Altitude

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At higher altitudes, there are performance losses in machines. For every 300 meters above 300 meters, there is typically a 3% reduction in rimpull.

Detailed Explanation

As altitude increases, the air becomes less dense, leading to less oxygen available for combustion engines. Consequently, the power output from the engine may decrease, reducing rimpull. For every 300 meters, the machine's efficiency falls, meaning operators must account for this when planning work at higher elevations.

Examples & Analogies

Just like athletes who train at high altitudes often perform worse at first due to lower oxygen levels, machines also face difficulties. Imagine driving a car that’s powerful at sea level; it may struggle uphill in mountains because it can't combine fuel and air as efficiently.

Calculating Available Rimpull

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To calculate the available rimpull after accounting for altitude effects, the initial rimpull based on the horsepower is adjusted for the altitude and then compared against the maximum usable rimpull based on the coefficient of traction.

Detailed Explanation

To ensure the machinery functions properly, engineers need to calculate how much rimpull is really available after adjusting for altitude effects. This involves reducing the theoretical power output by a percentage based on the height and then ensuring that this adjusted figure is not greater than the maximum derived from traction capabilities.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine climbing a ladder where every rung gets thinner and farther apart. Initially, climbing feels easy, reminiscent of high power. However, as you reach higher rungs (altitude), your grip weakens (traction), making it harder to pull yourself up. Similarly, machinery must manage reductions in power effectively when operating at altitudes.

Resistance Overcoming Capability

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After determining the available rimpull, it’s necessary to calculate how much is needed to overcome rolling resistance and grade resistance. The total supplied rimpull must then be adequate to tackle these resistances.

Detailed Explanation

Resistance, such as rolling resistance (due to friction with the ground) and grade resistance (due to slopes), consumes some of the available rimpull. To effectively haul loads, the rimpull must exceed the sum of these resistances. Calculating these resistances allows operators to verify whether their equipment can handle the expected conditions during operation.

Examples & Analogies

Think of riding a bicycle uphill while also dealing with wet ground conditions. The harder you pedal, the more energy you expend. You must push harder to overcome the slope (grade resistance) and the slippery surface (rolling resistance). Bicycles and scrapers both face similar challenges that require players in the equation to balance power and resistance.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Impact of altitude on machinery efficiency: Higher altitudes reduce engine performance due to lower air density.

  • Rimpull calculations: Essential for determining effective traction capabilities of scrapers.

  • Resistance metrics: Rolling resistance and grade resistance influence the gear selection in scraper operations.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • If a scraper's maximum rimpull is calculated at 26,600 kg based on its weight and traction, this must exceed the total required to operate efficiently on the intended slope.

  • When comparing the productivity of 5 vs 6 scrapers, if 5 scrapers yield 636.89 bank cubic meters/hour and 6 yield 723.36 bank cubic meters/hour, the choice should favor the more productive option.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When altitude goes high, rimpull might cry, as engines struggle and efficiency dies.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a heavy scraper climbing a steep hill at high altitude. As it struggles to haul its load, it learns the hard way that it needs more rimpull to make it over the gradient.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Always Remember: Rimpull = (Coefficient of Traction) x (Weight on Powered Wheels).

🎯 Super Acronyms

RAMP - Rimpull, Altitude, Maximum, and Performance. Remember these factors for operational efficiency.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Rimpull

    Definition:

    The usable tractive force exerted by a vehicle at the contact point between its wheels and the ground.

  • Term: Coefficient of Traction

    Definition:

    A ratio that quantifies the friction available between the wheels and the ground surface.

  • Term: Rolling Resistance

    Definition:

    The resistance encountered when a vehicle moves over a surface, often expressed as a percentage of the vehicle's weight.

  • Term: Grade Resistance

    Definition:

    The resistance faced by a vehicle due to an upward or downward slope.

  • Term: Altitude Correction

    Definition:

    Adjustments made to performance metrics to account for the impact of elevation on fuel combustion and engine efficiency.