Turning radius

Turning radius

The turning radius or turning circle of a vehicle is the radius of the smallest circular turn (ie. U-turn) that the vehicle is capable of making.It is often used as a generalized term rather than a numerical figure. For example, a vehicle with a very small turning radius may be described as having a "tight turning radius".

Two different measurements can be quoted for a vehicle. A kerb turning circle will show the distance travelled by the wheels. The wall turning circle will include an allowance for the width of the whole car, including the overhang of the bodywork. For example, a van may have be quoted as having a turning circle (in metres) of 12.1(K)/12.4(W).

It may be easier to imagine that on a road with low kerbs, you don't need to consider anything other than the tyres (12.1 metres), but if you were moving the vehicle inside a building, the corners of the vehicle might hit the walls so you need to allow for more space (12.4 metres).

A notable exception in this description is of vehicles that are capable of spinning around their central axis, such as a tank or certain lawnmowers as they do not form a circular path as they turn. In this case the vehicle is referred to as a "zero turning radius" vehicle, although whether or not the turning radius is actually nonexistent is unclear.

Some camera dollys used in the film industry have a "round" mode which allows them to spin around their z axis by allowing synchronized inverse rotation of their front and rear wheel sets, effectively giving them "zero" turning radius.

Turning "circle" is sometimes measured as the diameter of the minimum turn rather than the radius.

Common uses

* Wheeled vehicles
* Aeroplanes
* Watercraft

ee also

* U-turn (maneuver)

External links

* [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-turning-radius.htm Link to "Wisegeek" article about turning radius]
* [http://grounds-mag.com/mag/grounds_maintenance_zeroturn_radius_mowers/index.html "Grounds Maintenance Magazine" Article about Zero Radius Lawn Mowers]
* [http://www.jlfisher.com/dollies/model_10_dolly/index.asp JL Fisher Model 10 Dolly Specifications]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • turning radius — turning ,radius noun count AMERICAN the smallest amount of space in which a vehicle can move in a complete circle …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • turning radius — The diameter of the circle created by the outer front wheel when making a full turn. There are two ways of measuring the turning radius: curb to curb and wall to wall. The latter is always larger because it takes into account front end overhang.… …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • turning circle — turning .circle also turning .radius n the smallest space in which a vehicle can drive around in a circle …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • turning circle — turning ,circle noun count BRITISH a TURNING RADIUS …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • radius — See buffered radius crown radius free radius loaded radius radius rods rolling radius scrub radius static loaded radius turning radius unloaded …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • radius — noun (plural radii; also radiuses) Etymology: Latin, ray, radius Date: circa 1611 1. a line segment extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or bounding surface 2. a. the bone on the thumb side of the human forearm;… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • turning circle — The smallest circle in which a vehicle can turn, i.e., with the wheels on full lock. See turning radius …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • Turning — is the process whereby a centre lathe is used to produce solids of revolution . It can be done manually, in a traditional form of lathe, which frequently requires continuous supervision by the operator, or by using a computer controlled and… …   Wikipedia

  • Radius of gyration — Gyration Gy*ra tion (j[ i]*r[=a] sh[u^]n), n. 1. The act of turning or whirling, as around a fixed center; a circular or spiral motion; motion about an axis; rotation; revolution. [1913 Webster] The gyrations of an ascending balloon. De Quincey.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Minimum railway curve radius — 90 foot (27.43 m) radii on the elevated 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Chicago L . There is no room for longer radii at this street intersection The minimum railway curve radius, the shortest design radius, has an… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”