Looking for formula for lateral and/or eccentric loads

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter RWS000
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Formula
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating lateral and eccentric loads on a trailer hitch ball while hauling a trailer, specifically focusing on the forces experienced during movement, such as cornering, vibrations, and external impacts. Participants explore the complexities involved in measuring these forces and the implications for load cell selection.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a formula to calculate lateral and eccentric loads on a trailer hitch ball with specific weight parameters.
  • Another participant questions the sources of lateral forces, suggesting factors like cornering, vibration, crosswinds, and road impacts may contribute to the overall forces on the hitch.
  • A later reply proposes a testing scenario using a load cell to measure forces, expressing confusion about developing a full force diagram to determine resultant vertical force loads.
  • One participant discusses the implications of applying a horizontal shear force to a load cell designed for vertical loads, noting that an ideal sensor would only register the vertical preload, while acknowledging that real sensors may not behave ideally.
  • Another participant reiterates the concern about the load cell's response to horizontal forces, emphasizing the need for input from the sensor manufacturer regarding its performance under these conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the calculation of lateral forces and the behavior of load cells under non-ideal conditions. There is no consensus on a definitive method or formula for these calculations.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the complexity of forces acting on the hitch, dependence on the ideal behavior of load cells, and the need for further clarification from manufacturers regarding sensor performance.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in trailer dynamics, load measurement, and engineering applications related to towing and hitch design may find this discussion relevant.

RWS000
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Need formula to calc. lateral and/or eccentric loads on trailer hitch ball when moving down the road hauling a trailer with gross trailer weight (GTW) of 10000 lbs, Tongue weight (TW) of 1200 lbs.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Can such a thing be calculated? Weight acts vertically so where would lateral forces come from? Cornering? Vibration? Cross winds? Impacts from holes in the road? Does resonance/swaying play a role? Not my field but sounds like a lot of unknown factors come into the likely forces on a hitch.
 
Sorry for late reply...out of pocket.
Anyway, let's see if I can use a non moving situation for testing. Assume a weight sensing load cell is inserted under hitch ball (between hitch ball base and top of drawbar). Then nut at bottom of shank of ball is torqued tight against bottom of draw bar creating a vertical "preload" on load cell sensor of 12,343 lbs. Then a horizontal test load of 30,000 lbs is applied to the center axis of hitch ball. The distance from ball axis to bottom of ball base is 2.125 inches. The thickness of sensor is 20mm. The thickness of drawbar is 19mm. I am confused on how to develope a full force diagram to determine the resultant vertical force load to the top of the load cell sensor (so I can determine what capacity load cell to purchase verses the load that will be applied to it in this situation). Can you help me?
 
So basically there is a horizontal shear force applied to a sensor that is intended to measure only vertical loads. If the load cell was "ideal" it would only indicate the preload of 12,343lbs because the horizontal test load of 30,000 has no vertical component. However the sensor is unlikely to be ideal. I think this is one the sensor manufacturer will have to help answer.
 
CWatters said:
So basically there is a horizontal shear force applied to a sensor that is intended to measure only vertical loads. If the load cell was "ideal" it would only indicate the preload of 12,343lbs because the horizontal test load of 30,000 has no vertical component. However the sensor is unlikely to be ideal. I think this is one the sensor manufacturer will have to help answer.
 
Tks much...
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Proper placement of boat on trailer
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Undergrad How Does Moving a Gooseneck Trailer Connection Rearward Affect Hitch Load?
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
3K
What is the best beam design for my aluminum tandem axle trailer?
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
6K
Misc. Brainstorming concept for mobile solar array
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
What causes a trailer to fishtail on the highway?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
32K
Undergrad How Much Energy Does a Fire Truck Generate in a Crash?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
Calculating Force Needed to Raise Steel Tower
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Jackhammer on Vehicle Suspension, Unsprung Mass, Tire patch load
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Misc. Calculating load/force for an adjustable climbing wall
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Graduate Race Car Physics: Mastering Tire Contact Patch for Auto Racing Success
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
12K