Rolling Resistance Calculator
Calculate rolling resistance force and power requirements for vehicles
Calculate Rolling Resistance
Standard passenger car on dry asphalt road
Rolling Resistance Results
Rolling Resistance Formula
Basic Formula: RR = μ × N
Normal Force: N = m × g = 1500.0 × 9.81 = 14715.0 N
Rolling Resistance: RR = 0.0150 × 14715.0 = 220.72 N
Example: Car on Asphalt
Problem Setup
Vehicle: 1500 kg passenger car
Surface: Dry asphalt road
Rolling coefficient: μ = 0.015
Question: What is the rolling resistance force?
Solution Steps
1. Calculate normal force: N = m × g = 1500 kg × 9.81 m/s² = 14,715 N
2. Apply rolling resistance formula: RR = μ × N
3. Calculate resistance: RR = 0.015 × 14,715 N = 220.7 N
Result: The car experiences 220.7 N of rolling resistance
Quick Examples
Passenger Car on Highway
Typical family car cruising
Racing Bicycle
Cyclist with proper tire pressure
Heavy Truck
Fully loaded semi-truck
Mountain Bike
Off-road cycling
Coefficient Ranges
Key Concepts
Coefficient
Material-dependent friction factor
Normal Force
Weight pressing down on surface
Power
Energy rate to overcome resistance
Velocity
Speed affects power requirement
Understanding Rolling Resistance
What is Rolling Resistance?
Rolling resistance is the friction force that opposes motion when an object rolls over a surface. It occurs due to deformation of the wheel and surface, energy dissipation in materials, and other factors.
Basic Formula
The fundamental equation is RR = μ × N, where μ is the rolling resistance coefficient and N is the normal force (weight). This simple relationship allows quick calculations for most applications.
Factors Affecting Resistance
Rolling resistance depends on tire pressure, material properties, surface roughness, temperature, speed, and load. Proper tire inflation and smooth surfaces minimize resistance.
Energy and Efficiency
Lower rolling resistance improves fuel efficiency in vehicles and reduces effort in cycling. However, the benefits must be balanced against cost, performance, and safety considerations.
Transportation Applications
- • Automotive fuel efficiency
- • Bicycle performance optimization
- • Railway system design
- • Aircraft ground operations
Engineering Considerations
- • Tire design and materials
- • Road surface optimization
- • Vehicle weight distribution
- • Suspension system effects
Environmental Impact
- • Reduced fuel consumption
- • Lower CO₂ emissions
- • Energy-efficient transport
- • Sustainable mobility