14.3. Horizontal curve

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define centrifugal force in the context of road design.

   Hint

   Think about what happens physically when you turn a car.

2. 2.

   What is super-elevation?

   Hint

   Recall how the road surface is angled at turns in curves.

3. 3.

   What is the primary effect of centrifugal force on a vehicle in a curve?

   • It pulls the vehicle inward
   • It pushes the vehicle outward
   • It has no effect

   Hint

   Think about how you feel in a turning vehicle.

4. 4.

   True or False: Super-elevation helps counteract centrifugal force.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider what happens to the outer and inner edges of the road.

5. 5.

   A vehicle weighing 1200 kg travels at 25 m/s around a curve of radius 50 m. What is the centrifugal force acting on it?

   Hint

   Make sure to substitute correctly and watch your units.

6. 6.

   If the maximum frictional coefficient on a road is 0.3, what is the maximum speed a vehicle can safely take a curve of radius 45 m without skidding?

   Hint

   Ensure your units are consistent when you perform the calculations.