Ground pressure

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Ground pressure is the pressure exerted on the ground by the tires or tracks of a motorized vehicle, and is one measure of its potential mobility, [1] especially over soft ground. It also applies to the feet of a walking person or machine. Pressure is measured in the SI unit of pascals (Pa). Average ground pressure can be calculated using the standard formula for average pressure: P = F/A. [2] In an idealised case, i.e. a static, uniform net force normal to level ground, this is simply the object's weight divided by contact area. The ground pressure of motorized vehicles is often compared with the ground pressure of a human foot, which can be 60 – 80 kPa while walking or as much as 13 MPa for a person in spike heels. [3]

Contents

Increasing the size of the contact area on the ground (the footprint) in relation to the weight decreases the unit ground pressure. Ground pressure of 14 kPa (2 psi) or less is recommended for fragile ecosystems like marshes. [4] Decreasing the ground pressure increases the flotation, allowing easier passage of the body over soft terrain. This is exemplified by use of equipment such as snowshoes.

Examples

All examples are approximate, and will vary based on conditions

ObjectGround pressure (kPa)(psi)
Hovercraft0.70.1
Human on snowshoes 3.50.5
Rubber-tracked ATV 5.1650.75
Wheeled ATV13.82
Diedrich D-50 – T2 drilling rig26.23.8
Human male (130 kg, standing on one foot)558
Average human, flat shoes [5] 172.5
M1 Abrams tank [6] 10315
1993 Toyota 4Runner / Hilux Surf17025
Adult horse (550 kg, 1250  lb)17025
Bagger 288 excavation machine17025
Passenger car20530
Adult elephant 24035
Mountain bicycle 24540
Road racing bicycle 62090
Commercial semi truck/Lorrie793115
Stiletto heel 3,250471

Note: The pressures for average human and horse are for standing still position. [7] A walking human will exert more than double his standing pressure. A galloping horse will exert up to 3.5 MPa (500 psi). The ground pressure for a pneumatic tire is roughly equal to its inflation pressure.

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Allen, Jim. Jeep 4 X 4 Performance Handbook. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. p. 16. SBN 076030470X.
  2. Wenger, Karl F. (1984). Forestry Handbook. New York : Wiley. p. 499. ISBN   0-471-06227-8.
  3. J. William Thompson; Kim Sorvig (2000). Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors. Island Press. p.  51. ISBN   1-55963-646-7.
  4. "Page 4 of Management of small dock and piers, best management practices, May 2005 NOAA" (PDF).
  5. J. William Thompson; Kim Sorvig (2000). Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors. Island Press. p.  50. ISBN   1-55963-646-7.
  6. mathscinotes (2016-06-10). "Tank Track Ground Pressure Examples". Math Encounters Blog. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  7. J. William Thompson; Kim Sorvig (2000). Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors. Island Press. p.  50. ISBN   1-55963-646-7.
  8. Wong, Jo Yung (2001). Theory of Ground Vehicles. New York : John Wiley. ISBN   0-471-35461-9.