1. The Importance of Inclined Planes
“The road to success runs uphill”
-- Willie Davis

2. The Inclined Plane
The inclined plane is one of the six simple machines
The other simple machines are:
lever, screw, wedge, wheel and axle, pulley
(in case you were wondering!)

3. The Inclined Plane
An inclined plane reduces the force necessary to move a load vertically
Instead of moving directly up, the load is moved at an angle that is low to the ground

4. The Inclined Plane
This?

5. The Inclined Plane
Or This!

6. The Inclined Plane
The interesting thing is that the work to move the load is the same!
This is because moving the load straight up requires greater force over a lesser distance
Using an inclined plane requires a lesser force over a greater distance

7. The Inclined Plane So where do we see this used?
Ramps
Hatchets
Sloping roads
Ploughs
Skateboard and Snowboard parks
Air Hammer
Carpenter’s Plane
Chisels

8. The Inclined Plane
An inclined plane is actually: Rise Run This is slope! It is also called grade, gradient and pitch.

9. The Inclined Plane and Building Codes
The use of inclined planes in construction must meet provincial and/or national codes
This ensures that they are used in a safe manner

10. Wheelchair Ramps Wheelchair ramps must be 1”/12” (rise over run)
Ramps must have a maximum length of 30’; if they are longer, they must have a landing
Landings must be at least 60” x 60”
Ramps must be at least 36” wide

11. Stairs
Stairs must have an angle of elevation from 30o to 50o – This means the slope must be between 0.57 and 1.2
Stair steps themselves must have a rise ranging from 5” to 8” and a run ranging from 8.5” to 14” – this means the slope must be between 5/8.5 and 8/14

12. Stairs
In the UK, domestic stairs must have an angle of elevation of 42o
Semi-public stairs an angle of elevation of 38o
Public stairs must have an angle of elevation of 33o

13. Roofs Roof pitch ranges from 3”/12” (rise over run) to 27”/12”
27”/12” is usually used for dormers
Normal residential roofs have a pitch of 5”/12”

14. Roads
All roads have a grade of at least 1% from centre to curb (m greater than or equal to 0.01)
Minor roads can be steeper than major roads
In Canada, major highways (i.e., 401) have a vertical grade between 3% and 5% (0.03 and 0.05)

15. Roads
In urban centres, arterial roads have a maximum grade of approximately 6%, collector’s roads have a maximum grade of approximately 8%, local residential roads have maximum grade of approximately 10%