2.10 An engineer designs a rear-wheel–drive car (without an engine) that weighs 2000 lb.

and has a 100-inch

wheelbase, drivetrain efficiency of 80%, 14-inch– radius wheels, an overall gear reduction ratio of 10 to 1,
and a center of gravity (without engine) that is 22 inches above the roadway surface and 55 inches behind
the front axle. An engine that weighs 3 lb. for each ft-lb of developed torque is to be placed in the front
portion of the car. Calculations show that for every 20 lb. of engine weight added, the car’s center of gravity
moves 1 inch closer to the front axle (but stays at the same height above the roadway surface). If the car is
starting from rest on a level paved roadway with a coefficient of adhesion of 0.8, select an engine size (weight
and associated torque) that will result in the highest possible available tractive effort.

Solution
1- Calculate the engine-generated tractive effort 𝐹𝑒 using the formula:
𝑀𝑒 𝜀𝑜 𝜂𝑑
𝐹𝑒 =
𝑟
Substitute 10 for 𝜀𝑜 , 0.80 for 𝜂𝑑 , and 14 in. for 𝑟.

𝑀𝑒 × 10 × 0.8
𝐹𝑒 = = (6.86 𝑀𝑒 ) Ib (1)
1 ft
(14 in. × 12 in.)

2- Calculate the coefficient of rolling friction (𝑓𝑟𝑙 ) using the formula:

𝑉
𝑓𝑟𝑙 = 0.01 (1 + )
147

Consider car is at rest, so 𝑉 is zero.

Substitute 0 mi/h for 𝑉 :
mi 5280 ft 1h
(0 × 1 mi × 3600 s)
𝑓𝑟𝑙 = 0.01 (1 + h ) = 0.01
147

3- Calculate the maximum tractive effort (𝐹max) for rear – wheel drive car using the formula:

𝜇𝑊(𝑙𝑓 − 𝑓𝑟𝑙 ℎ)
[ ]
𝐿
𝐹max =
𝜇ℎ
1−( 𝐿 )

4- Consider for each 1 ft-Ib of torque developed 3 Ib of weight is added to the car. So, the weight of the car
is (𝑊0 + 3𝑊𝑒 ). For every 20 Ib of engine weight added, the car's center of gravity moves 1 inch closer to
3×1
the front axle. Thus, the distance from car's center of gravity to front axle is (𝑙𝑓 − 𝑀𝑒 ).
20
Here, 𝑊0 is initial weight of the car (without engine)

3×1
Substitute 0.8 for 𝜇, (2000+3 𝑀𝑒 ) for 𝑊 , (55 − 𝑀𝑒 ) for𝑙𝑓 , 0.01 for 𝑓𝑟𝑙 , 22 inches for ℎ, 100 inches
20
for 𝐿 :

3×1
(0.8)(2000 + 3 𝑀𝑒 ) ((55 − 20 𝑀𝑒 ) − (0.01)(22))
[ ]
100
𝐹max =
0.8 × 22
1 − ( 100 )
 3×1
(1600 + 2.4 𝑀𝑒 ) ((55 − 𝑀𝑒 ) − 0.22)
[ 20 ]
100
=
0.824

88000 − 240 𝑀𝑒 − 352 + 132 𝑀𝑒 − 0.528 𝑀𝑒 2

[ ]
100
=
0.824

−0.36 𝑀𝑒 2 − 108.52 𝑀𝑒 − 87648

[ ]
100
=[ ] Ib
0.824

5- Equate Equations (1) and (2).

−0.36 𝑀𝑒 2 − 108.52 𝑀𝑒 − 87648

[ ]
100
6.86 𝑀𝑒 = [ ] Ib
0.824

−0.36 𝑀𝑒 2 − 108.52 𝑀𝑒 − 87648

5.653 𝑀𝑒 = ( )
100

5.653 𝑀𝑒 = −0.36 𝑀𝑒 2 − 108.52 𝑀𝑒 − 87648

−0.36 𝑀𝑒 2 − 673.828 𝑀𝑒 − 87648 = 0

Simplify the expression.

𝑀𝑒 = 122.11 ft − Ib

Thus, the torque of the engine is 122.11 ft-Ib.

6- Calculate the weight of the car with engine (𝑊) from the following relation:

𝑊 = 𝑊0 + 3𝑀𝑒 = 2000 + 3(122.11) = 2366.33 Ib

Thus, the weight of the car with engine is 2366.33 Ib.