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Percent Grade Formula:
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Percent Grade is a measure of the steepness or incline of a slope, expressed as a percentage. It represents the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run, multiplied by 100 to get a percentage value.
The calculator uses the Percent Grade formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage grade by dividing the grade resistance by the product of grade resistance factor and weight on wheels.
Details: Percent grade calculation is crucial for various engineering and construction applications, including road design, railway construction, and slope stability analysis. It helps determine the steepness of slopes and ensures safe and efficient design of transportation infrastructure.
Tips: Enter grade resistance in Newton, grade resistance factor in Newton per Kilogram, and weight on wheels in Kilogram. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between percent grade and angle of slope?
A: Percent grade represents the slope as a percentage (rise/run × 100%), while angle of slope is measured in degrees from the horizontal plane.
Q2: How is percent grade used in road construction?
A: Percent grade determines the maximum allowable slope for roads to ensure vehicle safety and proper drainage. Steeper grades require special design considerations.
Q3: What are typical percent grade values for different applications?
A: Highways typically have maximum grades of 5-7%, while railways are limited to 2-3%. Off-road vehicles can handle much steeper grades up to 30-40%.
Q4: How does weight on wheels affect percent grade calculation?
A: Heavier equipment requires more force to move up a slope, which is accounted for in the calculation through the weight on wheels parameter.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for both ascending and descending slopes?
A: Yes, the calculation works for both ascending and descending slopes, though the interpretation of results may differ based on the direction of travel.