Load exerted on children's swing set 2

[TeejT]

I am trying to determine the load exerted on a swing set frame without having any weight rating data on it.

I want to determine the load of a child swinging on the structure.

I used "centrifugal" force to determine this.
1/2mv^2 = mgh then v = sqrt(2gh)
F_centrifugal = mv^2 / r

say h = r = 1.5 m and m = 50 kg
v = 5.42 m/s
F_centrifugal = 979 N or an "equivalent load" of ~ 100 kg or 220 lbs exerted by a 50 kg or 110 lb kid swinging in an arc of radius 1.5 m.

Does this seem like an appropriate way to determine the load experienced by the frame or am I looking at it the wrong way?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

2G sounds about right. Throw in a bit for a safety factor so your kid doesn't sail into your neighbor's yard...

When we were kids - we used to see how far we could go --- like an Olympics long jump - until my brother knocked himself out....

 

[desertfox]

Hi TeejT

I think your starting approach is on the right lines, although a 50kg is a pretty large kid. I presume there must be some specifications and code's for this sort of thing,I'm thinking about kiddies playgrounds in parks.

desertfox

 

[MiketheEngineer]

I weigh 200 lbs. and am 57 years old and I still swing w/ my grandkids. Kind of fun --- makes you feel like you are flying or being an astronaut -- all kids (young & old) can have a real imaginaion!!

 

[KENAT]

Why not look at what load the chain/rope will take and design to be slightly stronger than that?

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[ToadJones]

also, don't forget about the instance when you swing so damn high on the back swing that the chains go slack and you come hammering down on your ass so hard you break the seat, the chains or the connections. All of which i can remember doing as a kid.

 

[rb1957]

think of a number, and double it !

 

[JLNJ]

I had to replace the seemingly hefty chain on our swing last fall when my son's 12-year old fairly skinny friend managed to break the chain right at one of the links.

I never would have guessed that they could have broken that heavy chain...

 

[MikeHalloran]

Someday, someone is going to hook a chain fall to the center and use it to hoist an engine. ...



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ToadJones]

Mike-
do you live in my parents neighborhood?