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]. Tires may refer to: the plural of tire the Italian name for Tiers, Italy, a town in South Tyrol, Italy Category: ... U.S. M60 Patton tank. ... A human foot - Enlarge to view legend The foot is a biological structure found in many animals that is used for locomotion. ...

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. A pair of modern snowshoes Snowshoes, sometimes colloquially referred to as webs, are footwear for walking over snow. ...

Related Reading

• Theory of Ground Vehicles ^[5]

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 0471062278.
3. ^ (2000) Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors. Island Press, Page 51. ISBN 1559636467.
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 0471354619.