Turning a Dynamic Load into a Static Load

[englisa]

I am currently designing something similar to a roll cage but it is for mining vehicles and to protect the driver from falling rocks.

I know that the cage is to be designed for 8500 ft lbs energy (11.5 kJ), is there any way to convert this dynamic load into a static load?

 

[fegenbush]

Is this design meant to withstand the load destructively or non-destructively? If non-destructive, design to accept that energy using load and deflection criteria based on elastic behavior. Otherwise, use plastic behavior.

 

[csd72]

englisa,

I think you are missing the point here.

Calculate the deflection from a one pound point load and the inverse gives you a spring constant. From that you can determine how much force is exerted for each mm of deflection and then calculate the total impulse required and therefore tha maximum bending.

Alternatively you can use conservation of energy - i.e potential energy = dynamic energy = structural deformation energy.