-------------------
> Surely the answer is in one of your Materials Selector charts. What
> materials have the best specific energy absorption. After that it's all
> up to design, I suppose.
Yes----to make sure that the 'most efficient' energy-absorbing component
doesn't fly off during an impact before it can do its job.Also the
attachment of such devices(even if integral with the design)has to take
account of the many directions from which an impat can come---a bit like
streamlining where the wind is not always head-on.
However, you have to think of both sides of
> the crash equation. Some of the off-road vehicles which are driven _on_
> the roads (for shopping and other such adventures) have bull-bars and
> all sorts, designed to defend the vehicle against dangerous pedestrians
> who hurl themselves against the vehicle and might otherwise do it
> serious damage. Do these bull-bars need to absorb energy, or do they
> merely have to be stiff and strong?
> Has anyone thought of compliance matching between pedestrian and car?
Yes they have--- new designs of vehicles are more pedestrian-friendly
than before 'soft' bumpers and bonnets etc (the resistance to impact with
another vehicle or wall is taken by crushable structural zones)
> Tony
> Ulrike Wegst wrote:
>
> > How fast could the wooden cars go?
> >
> > Recently, I had a chance to drive in one of the BMW USVs. It has about
> > 300PS, weighs about 2500kg, top speed well over 200km/hour.
> > A bit extreme, maybe, but what would happen in a crash, if that was
> > built of wood?
> >
> > Regards,
> > Ulrike Wegst
>
> --
> Julian FV Vincent [log in to unmask]
> Professor of Biomimetics office 01225 386596
> Centre for Biomimetics & Natural Technologies mobile 07941 933901
> Dept of Mechanical Engineering fax 01225 386928
> The University
> BATH BA2 7AY
>
> http://www.bath.ac.uk/Departments/Eng/biomimetics/
>
> I hate quotations. Tell me what you know. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
>
from Prof Tony Atkins ScD FREng
School of Construction Management and Engineering
Engineering Bldg
University of Reading
READING RG6 6AY
Tel +44 118 931 8562
Fax +44 118 931 3327
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