Ground pressure

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ground pressure is the pressure exerted on the ground by the tires or tracks of a motorized vehicle, and is one measure of its potential mobility,^[1] especially over soft ground. Ground pressure can be measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Ground pressure can be calculated with the formula (loaded weight dived by ground contact area)^[2] The ground pressure of motorized vehicles is often compared to the ground pressure of a human foot, which can be 9 - 12 PSI while walking or as much as 1,920 PSI for a person in spike heels^[3].

Increasing the size of the contact area on the ground (the footprint) in relation to the weight decreases the ground pressure. Ground pressure of 2 PSI or less is recommended for fragile ecosystems like marshes.^[4] Decreasing the ground pressure increases the flotation, allowing easier passage of the body over soft terrain. This is often observed in activities like snowshoeing.

[edit] Related Reading

• Theory of Ground Vehicles ^[5]

[edit] References

1. ^ Allen, Jim. Jeep 4 X 4 Performance Handbook. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company, Page 16. SBN 076030470X. 
2. ^ Wenger, Karl F. (1984). Forestry Handbook. New York : Wiley, Page 499. ISBN 0-471-06227-8. 
3. ^ (2000) Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors. Island Press, Page 51. ISBN 1-55963-646-7. 
4. ^ Page 4 of Management of small dock and piers, best management practices, May 2005 NOAA.
5. ^ Wong, Jo Yung (2001). Theory of Ground Vehicles. New York : John Wiley,. ISBN 0-471-35461-9.