[Mechanics] Calculate the braking torque

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the braking torque (C) for a wheel in a braking system using two primary equations: C = J × α and C = n × N × μ × r. The first equation yields C = 0 due to constant rotational speed (α = 0), while the second equation provides a non-zero value despite the absence of a specified radius. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between braking torque, normal force (N), and friction coefficient (μ), and suggest that an arbitrary radius can be used for calculations. The final calculations indicate a torque of approximately 39 N·m with a radius of 53 mm, requiring four laps to stop.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational dynamics and torque calculations
  • Familiarity with the concepts of friction force and normal force
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy and work-energy theorem
  • Basic grasp of angular motion and rotational acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of rotational dynamics in detail
  • Learn about the work-energy theorem in mechanical systems
  • Explore the effects of varying friction coefficients on braking systems
  • Investigate methods for determining the radius of wheels in engineering problems
USEFUL FOR

Engineering students, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in the design or analysis of braking systems will benefit from this discussion.

hugo_faurand
Messages
62
Reaction score
10
Homework Statement
We have a wheel spinning with a speed of 20rad/s.
The brake exerts a tangential force of 2073.6N and a normal force of 5760N.
(No radius given for the wheel)

1/Calculate the braking torque exerted by the braking force.

2/ Calculate how much rotations the wheel do before it stops

(3/ Which scaleswould be interesting to calculate ?)
Relevant Equations
Inertia of the wheel : 100m²/kg
μ=0.36
Hello ev
braking system.jpg
eryone !

I've got a problem in engineering class with a braking system (picture linked).
In the first part I calculated the friction force $$ \vec{B} $$ with components :
T (following y axis) : 2073.6N
N (following x axis) : 5760N.

For the first question I struggle a lot because I haven't seen dynamics equations yet.
But on the web I saw that we can calculate the braking torque C with the equation :
$$C= J \times \alpha $$ alpha is the rotational acceleration. But our wheel is spinning at a constant speed so $$\alpha=0$$ and thus C=0 and that's strange. I found another formula : $$C= n \times N \times \mu \times r $$ r stands for the radius of the wheel, n is the number of pair of frictionning surfaces here 1 and N the normal force acting on the wheel.

This one is interesting because although we don't have the radius (I think that's an error from my teacher) we'll have a non-zero value.

For the question 2/ I use the kinetic energy theorem that tells us that the work of the system is equal to the difference of kinetic energies. So we have $$W = \frac{1}{2} J \omega_2^2 - \frac{1}{2} J \omega_1^2 = \frac{1}{2} J (\omega_2^2-\omega_1^2)$$
Whereas $$W=J\times \theta $$ thus we have $$ \theta = \frac{W}{C} $$

Here is one solution for me and then we just have to divide the result by 2 pi to have the number of laps.

For the last question I've got no idea maybe the power...

So if you can help me because I'm not really sure of my work.
For the radius of the wheel maybe I can just take an arbitrary value, if the literal steps are good I think that's the most important.

Thx in advance
 
Physics news on Phys.org
One comment:
I think that the rotational speed is an initial speed, not a constant speed, as you state (##\alpha =0##). I say that because part of the problem is to determine when the wheel stops.
 
FactChecker said:
One comment:
I think that the rotational speed is an initial speed, not a constant speed, as you state (##\alpha =0##). I say that because part of the problem is to determine when the wheel stops.
That's right but we have no statement about the duration of the braking. So we can't determine the deceleration.
 
hugo_faurand said:
we can calculate the braking torque ##C## with the equation :$$C=J\times\alpha$$
Conversely, if we know ##C##, we can calculate the deceleration rate !

(assume you are right about '(I think that's an error from my teacher) ' and use the symbol ##r## )
 
Last edited:
I made all the calculations with a radius of 53mm and I've a torque of almost 39 N.m and it needs 4laps to stop. Is it coherent ?

(Otherwise spend good end of the year festivities !)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
916
Replies
26
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K