(^654) A Textbook of Engineering Mechanics
Now taking moments about the centre of gravity (G) of the vehicle,
RF x – RR x=2 Fh
∴ RF – RR= 2
22
2
Fh h I a
xxr
⎛⎞
= ⎜⎟
⎝⎠
... 2
2
Ia
F
r
⎛⎞
⎜⎟=
⎝⎠
Q
= 2
2
hI P
x r I
M
r
××
⎛⎞+
⎜⎟
⎝⎠
2
...
P
a
I
M
r
⎛⎞=
⎜⎟
⎜⎟+
⎝⎠
Q
= 2
hIP
x IMr
×
- ...(ix)
Adding equations (viii) and (ix),
RF= 2
1
2
h IP
Mg
x IMr
⎡⎤⎛⎞
⎢⎥+ ⎜⎟
⎣⎦⎝⎠+
and RR= 2
1
- 2
h IP
Mg
x IMr
⎡⎤⎛⎞
⎢⎥⎜⎟+
⎣⎦⎝⎠
Example 32.1. An industrial truck of total mass 8 tonnes has two pairs of wheels of 400 mm
radius and each pair with axle has a mass of 1 tonne. The radius of gyration of each wheel is
300 mm. The axles are 2·4 m apart and centre of gravity of the truck is mid-way at a height of
1·5 m above the road surface. If the truck is moving with a tractive force of 5·4 kN, acting through its
c.g. Calculate (i) acceleration of the vehicle ; (ii) frictional resistance ; and (iii) reaction of the
wheels.
Solution. Given: Mass of the truck (M) = 8 t; Radius of each wheel (r) = 400 mm = 0·4 m;
Mass of the each pair of wheels with axles (m) = 1 t; Radius of gyration of each wheel (k) = 300 mm
= 0·3 m ; Horizontal distance between the centre of axles (2x) = 2·4 m or x = 1·2 m; Height of the
centre of gravity of the truck above road level (h) = 1·5 m and tractive force (P) = 5·4 kN.
(i) Acceleration of the vehicle
We know that the mass moment of inertia of each pair of wheels,
I=mk^2 = 1(0·3)^2 = 0·09 t-m^2
and acceleration of the vehicle,
a=
2
2 2
5·4
0·63 m/s
0·09
8
(0·4)
P
I
M
r
==
⎛⎞+ +
⎜⎟
⎝⎠
Ans.
(ii) Frictional resistance
We also know that the frictional resistance,
F= 22
0·09 0·63
0·18 kN
22(0·4)
Ia
r
×
== Ans.
(iii) Reactions on the wheels,
We know that the reaction of the front pair of wheels,
RF= 2
1
2
h IP
Mg
x IMr
⎡⎤⎛⎞
⎢⎥+ ⎜⎟
⎣⎦⎝⎠+
= 2
11·50·09 5·4
89·8 39·42kN
21·20·09 8(0·4)
⎡ ⎛⎞× ⎤
⎢⎥×+⎜⎟=
⎣⎦⎝⎠+
Ans.