Impact force question
Impact force question
(OP)
I have a large mass of steel moving at 5 miles per hour. I have been asked to find the impact force so I can do some other calculations. I’m having a bit of trouble getting started. Currently I have assumed that there is a bumper on it, but I think there may be something better. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to calculate the impact force.





RE: Impact force question
TTFN
RE: Impact force question
Based on the materials involved measure or estimate the time to go from 5 mph to zero mph, you know the mass - you now have the impact force.
An ideal situation of course, but another way to start.
RE: Impact force question
However that is the least likely scenario.
The spring and damper is a bit more difficult to work out, but it is only a single degree of freedom system, and if you ignore the damping in the first quarter cycle then it is quite simple, since the energy stored in the spring when fully compressed is 1/2*k*x^2, and this is equal to the KE of the mass, 1/2*m*v^2
If you search through the threads you will find a long one on the impact of a steel ball on a steel plate.
Cheers
Greg Locock