Impact forces

[britbrat]

Its been a while since I did this stuff, can anyone please check if my formula's are correct here.

Force = mass x acceleration (thats the easy part),

But for impact force (very simplified) should I just use the expression

Work done = force x distance???

Thanks

 

[ccw]

The equations are correct as far as it goes. However, if you are looking for the PEAK force during deceleration during the impact event, the situation gets more complicated. For many engineered, passive, impact absorbing systems (impact force limiting or control intended), the PEAK force, or PEAK acceleration (assuming mass constant) will typically be 3X the average force from Work = energy = Force x (Decel)Distance.

 

[PeterCharles]

You might want to check out the following discussion on impact forces :-

http://www.eng-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/lev2/16/lev3/58/pid/404/qid/74498