1. What is Total Road Resistance?

Total Road Resistance is the sum of the resistance from all the wheels, combining rolling resistance and grade resistance to determine the total force opposing vehicle motion.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( T \) — Total Road Resistance (Newton)
• \( p \) — Tire Penetration (Meter)
• \( PG \) — Percent Grade (%)
• \( W \) — Weight on Wheels (Kilogram)

Explanation: The formula calculates the combined resistance from tire-road interaction and road gradient, multiplied by the weight supported by the wheels.

3. Importance of Total Road Resistance Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of total road resistance is crucial for vehicle performance analysis, fuel efficiency estimation, and proper vehicle design and maintenance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter tire penetration in meters, percent grade as a percentage value, and weight on wheels in kilograms. All values must be valid (non-negative, weight > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What factors affect total road resistance?
A: Total road resistance is influenced by tire characteristics, road surface conditions, vehicle weight, and road gradient.

Q2: How does tire penetration affect resistance?
A: Greater tire penetration typically increases rolling resistance as more energy is required to deform the tire and overcome surface irregularities.

Q3: What is the significance of percent grade?
A: Percent grade represents the slope or incline of the road, which directly affects the grade resistance component of total road resistance.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This formula provides an estimation and may not account for all variables such as wind resistance, vehicle speed, or specific tire-road interactions.

Q5: How is this calculation used in practice?
A: Engineers use total road resistance calculations for vehicle design, fuel consumption analysis, and determining optimal gear ratios and engine performance requirements.