Designing a Safe Curved Roadway: AP Physics Problem for Civil Engineers

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The discussion focuses on designing a safe curved roadway under icy conditions, specifically requiring calculations for the minimum radius of curvature and the appropriate banking angle. Key factors include the coefficient of static friction of 0.08, ensuring a stationary car does not slide into a ditch, and preventing skidding for cars traveling under 50 km/h. Participants are encouraged to analyze the forces acting on the car at rest and how these forces change when the car is in motion, including considerations of rotational acceleration. The forum rules stipulate that users must begin attempting to solve the problem before seeking assistance. This collaborative approach aims to enhance understanding of civil engineering principles in roadway design.
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A civil engineer is asked to design a curved section of roadway that meets the following conditions: With ice on the road, when the coefficient of static friction between the road and rubber is 0.08, a car at rest must not slide into the ditch and a car traveling less than 50 km/h must not skid to the outside of the curve. What is the minimum radius of curvature of the curve and at what angle should the road be banked?
 
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Any thoughts on this? What forces acting on the car when it's at rest? What changes when it's in motion (rotational acceleration?). The rules of the forum are that you have to start trying to solve the problem before people can jump in and help.
 

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