Quote:
Originally Posted by thefro526
This is not always true, especially with small rough-top tread wheels. I believe someone posted Data on the subject that showed a ~20% increase in Pushing Power/Tractive Force/Force of Friction when a 4" wheel was widened from 1" to 2". (For all intents and purposes, the same as adding another 1" wide wheel to the DT.)
This seems to be caused, at least in part, by the way rough-top tread interfaces with carpet.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery
Please provide a link.
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I think that the principal is sound from a real-world physics standpoint. I think that it is very possible to see significant traction gains from wider wheels.
From my race car experience (both designing, setting up, and driving) I have learned that polymers' coefficient of friction is related to their contact pressure. A larger contact area therefore leads to a higher coefficient of friction.
They way it was explained to me is that as a polymer, i.e. roughtop or a tire tread, is pushed onto a surface small parts of the two surfaces become interlocked. As normal force between the two surfaces increases, the two surfaces interlock less and less per unit normal force. At some point the polymer/material interfaces are completely saturated and there is not much more grip to be had.