Prop Shaft load parked on a grade

  • Thread starter Thread starter JGM
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Load Shaft
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The torque on a driveshaft for an 8-ton vehicle parked on a 16% grade with a tire radius of 19 inches and an axle ratio of 7.1 is calculated to be approximately 572 lb.ft. The calculations involve determining the force acting on the rear tires using the formula F_w = W*sin(θ), where W is the weight of the vehicle and θ is the slope angle. The wheel torque is then computed as T_w = F_w * r, and the driveshaft torque is derived from T_d = T_w / GR, where GR is the gear ratio. Discrepancies in torque values arise from differences in weight units and tire radius used in calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly torque and force calculations.
  • Familiarity with vehicle dynamics, including weight distribution and axle ratios.
  • Knowledge of unit conversions between imperial and metric systems.
  • Ability to perform trigonometric calculations related to slopes and angles.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of different axle ratios on vehicle performance and torque distribution.
  • Learn about the calculations involved in vehicle weight distribution on inclines.
  • Explore the differences between short tons and metric tonnes in automotive specifications.
  • Investigate the effects of tire radius on torque calculations in various vehicle types.
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, mechanics, and enthusiasts interested in vehicle dynamics, torque calculations, and the effects of incline on vehicle performance.

JGM
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
What would the torque on a driveshaft be for a 8 ton vehicle in park on a 16% grade? Tire radius is 19". Axle ratio it 7.1.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
JGM said:
What would the torque on a driveshaft be for a 8 ton vehicle in park on a 16% grade? Tire radius is 19". Axle ratio it 7.1.
Welcome to the PF.

Is this question for schoolwork? What is the context of the question?
 
berkeman said:
Welcome to the PF.

Is this question for schoolwork? What is the context of the question?
Trying to determine the loads on an output shaft of a transmission when parked on a grade with different axle ratios. Not for school work. Just general knowledge.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
If the rear wheels support the entire load caused by the slope, the force acting at the rear tires is ##F_w = W\sin\theta##, where ##W## is the weight of the vehicle and ##\theta## is the angle of the slope (reference). ##100\tan\theta = \%slope## to find the angle of the slope (reference).

The wheel torque produced is ##T_w = F_w r##, where ##r## is the tire radius.

The gear ratio reduces the torque seen by the driveshaft, so ##T_d = \frac{T_w}{GR}##, where ##GR## is the axle gear ratio.

##\theta = \arctan\frac{16}{100} = 9.1°##

##F_w = (16000\ lb)\sin9.1° = 2530\ lb##

##T_w = (2530.5\ lb) * (1.583\ ft) = 4006\ lb.ft##

##T_d = \frac{4006\ lb.ft}{7} = 572\ lb.ft##
 
jack action said:
If the rear wheels support the entire load caused by the slope, the force acting at the rear tires is ##F_w = W\sin\theta##, where ##W## is the weight of the vehicle and ##\theta## is the angle of the slope (reference). ##100\tan\theta = \%slope## to find the angle of the slope (reference).

The wheel torque produced is ##T_w = F_w r##, where ##r## is the tire radius.

The gear ratio reduces the torque seen by the driveshaft, so ##T_d = \frac{T_w}{GR}##, where ##GR## is the axle gear ratio.

##\theta = \arctan\frac{16}{100} = 9.1°##

##F_w = (16000\ lb)\sin9.1° = 2530\ lb##

##T_w = (2530.5\ lb) * (1.583\ ft) = 4006\ lb.ft##

##T_d = \frac{4006\ lb.ft}{7} = 572\ lb.ft##

Shouldn't this include the acceleration of gravity?
F_w = 16000 Lbs* 32.174 ft/s2
 
JGM said:
Shouldn't this include the acceleration of gravity?
F_w = 16000 Lbs* 32.174 ft/s2
pounds is a unit for weight not mass, already includes gravity.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jack action
I used SI units.
Mass = 8000 kg.
Force due to gravity = 8000 * 9.8 = 78400 Newton.
Wheel radius is 39” = conveniently 1 metre.
16% grade = 9.09 deg; Sin(9.09°) = 0.158
7:1 axle ratio.
Drive shaft torque = 1m * 78400N * 0.158 / 7 = 1769.5 Nm
1769.5 Nm = 1305.1 ft.lbs
This is quite different to jack action's 572. ft.lb
 
Last edited:
Baluncore said:
I used SI units.
Mass = 8000 kg.
Force due to gravity = 8000 * 9.8 = 78400 Newton.
Wheel radius is 39” = conveniently 1 metre.
16% grade = 9.09 deg; Sin(9.09°) = 0.158
7:1 axle ratio.
Drive shaft torque = 1m * 78400N * 0.158 / 7 = 1769.5 Nm
1769.5 Nm = 1305.1 ft.lbs
This is quite different to jack action's 572. ft.lb
That is because we don't use the same numbers:
  • I use 1 ton = 2000 lb and you use 1 tonne = 1000 kg;
  • I use a wheel radius of 19" and you use a wheel radius of 39".
Other than that, everything is the same!:smile:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Baluncore
Fixing the radius to 19” and using a mass of 8 Short Tons.
Mass 8 short ton = 7257.5 kg.
Force due to gravity = 7257.5 * 9.8 = 71123.5 Newton.
Wheel radius is 19” = inconveniently 0.4826 metre.
16% grade = 9.09 deg; Sin(9.09°) = 0.158
7:1 axle ratio.
Drive shaft torque = 0.4826 * 71123.5 * 0.158 / 7 = 774.75 Nm
774.75 Nm = 571.5 ft.lbs
We agree.

In Australia the standard Ton was a Long Ton = 1016.05 kg = 2240 lbs.
In 1966 that was replaced by the metric Tonne = 1000 kg = 2205 lbs.

Are vehicle weights in the USA always specified in Short Tons = 907.18 kg = 2000 lbs ?
 
  • #10
Baluncore said:
Are vehicle weights in the USA always specified in Short Tons = 907.18 kg = 2000 lbs ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_ton

I'm in Canada and a ton has always been 2000 lb around here. But we're with the SI system as well, so this is not a usual unit for us nowadays (unless we have to do business with our neighbor).

As for truck classification, it is done in pounds, so no problem there:

xskssrdsi0vac40ao6ij.jpg
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Baluncore

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K