How would one calculate Tug of war forces between two vehicles?

In summary: So, you would have max pull = (600-550)*9.8*5=2450 NewtonsIn summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of forces in a tug-of-war scenario between two off-road vehicles. The speaker is looking for tips on how to calculate the force transferred between the vehicles, in order to determine the necessary strength of the hitch and tubing. However, there is not enough information provided for an accurate solution, so a safety factor must be applied to account for unknown variables.
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Mer
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How would one calculate "Tug of war" forces between two vehicles?

Hello! I am working on some calculations for an off-road vehicle on which we are working, and I cannot figure out which figures to use. Really, it's where to start. We have two vehicles (600 lbs. and 550 lbs.) with 10 hp engines that will be hitched together in a tug-of-war type setting. The hitches are attached to 4130 Normalized steel tubing, and I'm trying to calculate how much force is transferred (essentially how beefy we need to build it). I know this isn't a lot of information, but I have a huge brain-block. Any tips to get this started would be so appreciated!
 
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  • #2


Drawbar Pull =

Tractive Effort -

Rr=rolling resistance
Rp=gradient resistance
Ri=inertia resistance (acceleration)
Rv=wind resistance
 
  • #3


Like many real engineering design applications, you are missing a whole lot of information required for an accurate solution. What we so in this in cases like that is to bracket the solution with a max and min solutions.

For max, assume a coefficient of friction of unity between the tires and ground. Apply that to the smaller vehicle for max draw bar pull. Then throw in a safety factor of 5, to take care of unknowns, the largest of which in this case would be dynamic and shock loads since you are not designing much energy absorption into this system.
 

1. How is the mass of the vehicles taken into account when calculating the tug of war forces?

The mass of the vehicles is a crucial factor in calculating the tug of war forces. The force exerted by each vehicle is directly proportional to its mass, meaning that the heavier vehicle will have a greater force. Therefore, the mass of each vehicle must be accurately measured and included in the calculation.

2. Is the friction between the tires and the ground considered in the calculation?

Yes, the friction between the tires and the ground is an important factor in calculating the tug of war forces. The friction force affects the traction of the tires and the overall force exerted by the vehicles. It must be taken into account in the calculation to accurately determine the forces.

3. How does the angle of the rope affect the calculation of tug of war forces?

The angle of the rope between the vehicles is a critical factor in the calculation. The force exerted by each vehicle is affected by the angle, and a greater angle will result in a higher force. The angle must be measured and included in the calculation to accurately determine the tug of war forces.

4. What role does the strength of the rope play in the calculation?

The strength of the rope is essential in determining the maximum force that can be exerted in a tug of war between two vehicles. The rope must be strong enough to withstand the forces exerted by the vehicles and should be carefully chosen to ensure it does not break during the competition.

5. Are there any other external factors that should be considered when calculating the tug of war forces?

Yes, there are several external factors that can affect the calculation of tug of war forces. These include the type of surface the vehicles are on, any obstacles or inclines in the path, and the weather conditions. All of these factors must be taken into account to accurately determine the tug of war forces between two vehicles.

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