Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
Assignment (3) – Model Answer
1. A fully loaded wheeled scraper (model CAT 615C) must travel up a 3% slope on an un-
maintained haul road (estimated rolling resistance is 120 kgf/m ton and the coefficient of
traction is estimated to be 0.45). Only the front tires are powered, and the following weight
distribution can be determined from the manufacturer’s data:
Loaded Empty
Front Axle Rear Axle Front Axle Rear Axle
55% 45% 65% 35%
a. What is the total resisting force?
b. Calculate the maximum usable tractive force.
c. Can the mentioned scraper operate in the above conditions? If yes, then, what is
the maximum speed the scraper can operate at on the haul road when loaded?
d. What would be the maximum speed, if the haul road is properly maintained with
rolling resistance of 30 kgf/m ton?
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
Solution
a. Grading Resistance = (10 kgf/m ton per % slope) * (% slope) = 10 * 3 = 30 kgf/m ton
Haul Trip (Uphill & Loaded)
Total resisting force (Haul) = RR + GR = 120 + 30 = 150 kgf/m
FTR = TR * Gross Weight (m ton) = 150 * (44.113) = 6,617 kgf
Return Trip (Downhill & Empty)
Total resisting force (Return) = RR - GR = 120 - 30 = 90 kgf/m
FTR = TR * Gross Weight (m ton) = 90 * (25.605) = 2,304.45 kgf
b. Maximum usable tractive force (Haul trip) = (Coeff. of Traction) * [weight on tracks
(kg)] = 0.45 * (0.55 * 44,113) = 10,918 kgf
Maximum usable tractive force (Return trip) = (Coeff. of Traction) * [weight on tracks
(kg)] = 0.45 * (0.65 * 25,605) = 7,489 kgf
c. Since, the power required to overcome the total resistance (6,617) is less than the
maximum usable tractive force (10,918), then the scrapper can perform the job in the
current conditions.
The maximum speed can be read directly from the performance chart by finding the
haul power required on the left axis, reading across to intersect 3rd gear curve, then
the max speed is 9 km/hr
d. Total resisting force (Haul) = RR + GR = 30 + 30 = 60 kgf/m
FTR = TR * Gross Weight (m ton) = 60 * (44.113) = 2,646.78 kgf
The maximum speed can be read directly from the performance chart by finding the
haul power required on the left axis, reading across to intersect 5th gear curve, then
the max speed increases to 25 km/hr
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
2. A contractor owns a Caterpillar D6R standard crawler bulldozer and plans to use it to
clear a project site and then excavate for the basement of an office building to be built on
the site. The bulldozer weighs 20 m ton. The project site is at an elevation of 1200 m.
The soil is rutted clay loam with estimated rolling resistance of 110 kgf/m ton.
a. What is the maximum usable drawbar pull that the bulldozer can develop before
the tracks begin to slip?
b. What is the maximum speed that the bulldozer can clear and grub up a 10% slope
while operating in the second gear?
c. What is the maximum speed that the bulldozer can push the excavated soil up a
15% ramp out of the basement area while operating in the first gear?
b
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
Solution
a. The first step is to determine the maximum usable drawbar pull that can be developed by
the bulldozer before the tracks start to spin.
o Maximum usable drawbar pull (traction effect) = (Coeff. of Traction) * [weight on
tracks (kg)] = 0.7 * 20,000 = 14,000 kgf
b. Next, we need to check that the total resisting force is less than maximum usable drawbar
pull
Rolling Resistance = 110 kgf/m ton
Grading Resistance = (10 kgf/m ton per % slope) * (% slope) = 10 * 10 = 100 kgf/m ton
TR = RR + GR (uphill) = 110 + 100 = 210 kgf/m ton
FTR = TR * Gross Weight (m ton) = 210 * (20) = 4,200 kgf
o Effect of altitude (adjusted total resisting force = equivalent resisting force in sea
level to use the chart accurately):
Derating Factor (%) = [3 * (1200 - 915)] / 305 = 2.8%
FTR (adjusted for altitude) = FTR * (1 + Derating Factor) = 4,200 * 1.028 = 4,317.6 kgf
Since, the drawbar pull required to overcome the total resistance (4,317.6) is less than
the maximum usable drawbar pull (14,000), then the bulldozer can perform the job in the
current conditions.
The maximum speed can be read directly from the performance chart by finding the minimum
drawbar pull required on the left drawbar pull axis, reading across to intersect 2nd gear curve, then
the max speed is 5.4 km/hr
c. Since the Slope has changes to 15%, total resisting force must be recalculated.
Rolling Resistance = 110 kgf/m ton
Grading Resistance = (10 kgf/m ton per % slope) * (% slope) = 10 * 15 = 150 kgf/m ton
TR = RR + GR (uphill) = 110 + 150 = 260 kgf/m ton
FTR = TR * Gross Weight (m ton) = 260 * (20) = 5,200 kgf
o Effect of altitude (adjusted total resisting force = equivalent resisting force in sea
level to use the chart accurately):
Derating Factor (%) = [3 * (1200 - 915)] / 305 = 2.8%
FTR (adjusted for altitude) = FTR * (1 + Derating Factor) = 5,200 * 1.028 = 5,345.6 kgf
Since, the drawbar pull required to overcome the total resistance (5,345.6) is less than the maximum
usable drawbar pull (14,000), then the bulldozer can perform the job in the current conditions.
The maximum speed can be read directly from the performance chart by finding the minimum
drawbar pull required on the left drawbar pull axis, reading across to intersect 1nd gear curve, then
the max speed is 3.3 km/hr
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
3. A contractor is planning to use Caterpillar D30D articulated dump end truck to haul away
excess material generated by the excavation of a large foundation. The project site is at
an average elevation of 1,700 m. The following information is available:
Operating surface: wet sand
Operating surface rolling resistance = 115 kgf/m ton
Coefficient of Traction = 0.4
Max. Capacity = 27.2 m ton
Struck (SAE) = 12.5 m3
Heaped (2:1) (SAE) = 16.5 m3
Calculate the Travel time from the construction site to the dump area and vice versa using
the hauling distances and slopes shown in below. (Each Segmant of the 3 below shall be
solved as a separate problem similar to Q1 & Q2, i.e. 6 checks for haul and return trips)
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
4. A contractor is planning to use a Caterpillar 814F wheeled bulldozer (all-wheel drive) with
a universal blade for an earthmoving operation. The average haul distance (one way) for
the bulldozer is estimated to be 220 m up an average 3% slope.
a. What is the estimated productivity of the wheeled tractor (in Bm3/hr) assuming
good site and managerial conditions? Assume the tractor will push in first gear and
then back in the second gear to get another load. Assume maneuvering time to
be 0.5 minutes.
b. What is the estimated unit cost for the backfill operation if the hourly ownership
cost is 35 EGP, the hourly operating cost (less labor) is 45 EGP, and the tractor
operator wage is 25 EGP per hour?
The following information is available:
Caterpillar 814F bulldozer operating weight = 18,611 kg
Blade Capacity = 3.8 Lm3
Coefficient of traction is estimated to be 0.5
Rolling resistance is estimated to be 40 kgf/m ton
Swell of the excavated material is estimated to be 35%
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
Solution
Haul Trip (Uphill)
o Resisting forces acting against the bulldozer: RR = 40 kgf/m ton
Grade Resistance: GR = (10 kgf/m ton per % slope) * (% slope) = 10 * 3 = 30 kgf/ m ton
TR = RR + GR (uphill) = 40 + 30 = 70 kgf/m ton
FTR = TR * Gross Weight (m ton) = 70 * (18.611) = 1,302 kgf
o Next check to ensure there is adequate traction for the bulldozer:
Maximum usable rimpull = (Coeff. of Traction) * [weight on tracks (kg)] = 0.5 * 18,611
= 9,305.5 kgf > FTR
Therefore, the tracks will not slip at the maximum speed that will be determined from
the performance chart.
o From the performance chart; The maximum speed in 1st gear that will provide 1,302
kgf of rimpull is 5.8 km/hr.
o Please note that for the bulldozers, the loaded weight is similar to the empty weight
which is the weight of the equipment only (18.611 ton), however, the loaded weight
for scrappers and trucks shall be the weight of the equipment plus the weight of
material moved.
Return Trip (Downhill)
o Resisting forces acting against the bulldozer: RR = 40 kgf/m ton
Grade Resistance: GR = (10 kgf/m ton per % slope) * (% slope) = 10 * 3 = 30 kgf/ m ton
TR = RR - GR (downhill) = 40 - 30 = 10 kgf/m ton
FTR = TR * Gross Weight (m ton) = 10 * (18.611) = 186.11 kgf < maximum usable rimpull
(9,305.5)
Therefore, the tracks will not slip at the maximum speed that will be determined from
the performance chart.
o From the performance chart; The maximum speed in 2nd gear that will provide 186.11
kgf of rimpull is 10.5 km/hr.
Cycle Time is calculated as follows:
220
HT = Haul distance / Haul Speed = 1000 = 2.276 min
5.8∗( )
60
220
RT = Return distance / Return Speed = 1000 = 1.257 min
10.5∗( )
60
Total Cycle time = HT + RT + FT (maneuver time) = 2.276 + 1.257 + 0.5 = 4.033 min
Volume of material that can be moved during one operational cycle:
V = 3.8 Lm3
Convert the volume to bank cubic meters
V = (3.8 Lm3)/(1.35) = 2.81 Bm3
a. Productivity:
Operational Efficiency = 0.75 (from table above)
Productivity (in Bm3/hr) = (Volume * Operational Efficiency) / Total Cycle time = (2.81 * 0.75)
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/ (4.033 / 60) = 31.354 Bm3/hr
Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
b. Estimated Unit Cost
Productivity (in hr/Bm3) = 1 / 31.354 = 0.0319 hr/Bm3
Estimated Unit Cost = 0.0319 hr/Bm3 * (45 + 25 + 35) EGP/hr = 3.35 EGP/Bm3
5. An articulated wheeled loader with a 3 Lm3 bucket (rated heaped capacity) is excavating
a basement foundation 8 m by 18 m with an average depth of 3 m. The material is moist
loam weighing 1,250 kg/Lm3 with a swell factor of 20%. The excavated soil is to be
stockpiled an average 85 m away from the middle of the basement. The static tipping
load of the loader is 9,500 kg. It is estimated that the average travel speed is 2.8 km/hr
and the average return speed is 4.4 km/hr.
a. What is the estimated productivity of the loader assuming operational efficiency
of 55 minutes per hour?
b. Estimate the total time (in hours) required to complete the excavation of the
basement.
a. The max weight the loader can carry (maximum safe load) = 50% of the static tipping
load = (0.5) * (9,500) = 4,750 kg
Fill factor for moist loam = 105% = 1.05
Heaped capacity of the bucket = (1.05) * (3) = 3.15 m3
Now we must check to ensure that we are not exceeding the weight constraint:
Load weight = (3.15) * (1,250) = 3,937.5 kg < 4,750 kg
therefore, the max volume the loader can carry per cycle = 3.15 Lm3
85
HT = Haul distance / Haul Speed = 1000 = 1.82 min
2.8∗( )
60
85
RT = Return distance / Return Speed = 1000 = 1.16 min
4.4∗( )
60
Total Cycle time = HT + RT + FT (maneuver time, assume 0.5 min) = 1.82 + 1.16 + 0.5 =
3.48 min
Operational efficiency = 55 / 60 = 0.9167
Productivity (in Bm3/hr) = (Volume * Operational Efficiency) / Total Cycle time =
[(3/1.2) * 0.9167) / (3.48 / 60) = 39.51 Bm3/hr
b. Total time (in hours) required to complete the excavation of the basement = (8 *
18 * 3) / 39.51 = 10.94 hr
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
6. A contractor is planning to use a Caterpillar D30D articulated dump end truck to move
excavation material from a construction site to a dump area. The contractor plans to load
the dump truck with a loader of 1.6 Lm3 heaped bucket capacity that has a cycle time
estimated to be 30 seconds and estimated bucket fill factor of 1.06. The excavation
material is sandy clay weighing 1,500 kg/Bm3 with a swell factor of 25%. The 5.5 km long
haul road is shown below. The rolling resistance of haul road is estimated to be 65 kgf/m
ton, coefficient of traction is estimated to be 0.5, and derating factor due to altitude is
estimated to be 0.07.
a. What is the estimated productivity of one dump truck in Bm3/hr if the contractor
assumes 50 minutes per hour for operational efficiency?
b. What is the optimum number of trucks that should be used per loader?
(Each Segmant of the 3 below shall be solved as a separate problem similar to
Q4, i.e. 6 checks for haul and return trips)
The following information is available:
For the Caterpillar D30D articulated dump end truck;
Max Capacity = 27.2 m ton
Bed Struck Capacity (SAE) = 12.5 m3
Bed Heaped Capacity (2:1) (SAE): 16.5 m3
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Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering
Structural Engineering Department
STR447 Resource Management for Construction Projects
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