Class
Article
College
College of Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department
Faculty Mentor
Tadd Truscott
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Experimental evidence suggests the limit of human tolerance to water impact from free-fall is approximately 48 m, any free-fall water impact from greater heights are likely to be just as fatal as free-fall onto a solid surface. The danger comes from the impulse force reaching a high peak in a very short time span. One way of reducing the impulse is for another object to impact the surface first. We present a canonical consecutive sphere impact study showing that a sphere creating an underwater cavity reduces the impulse impact force felt by a trailing second sphere. Our proposed non-dimensional time parameter called the Matryoshka number (Mt) theorizes four different consecutive sphere impact modes, and experiments show a significant impact force reduction of up to 79% can be achieved. Prospective applications of this strategy range from aiding thrill-seeking bungee jumpers to water landing air-crafts, missiles, and even the splash-down of spaceship capsules. So if you ever find yourself in a bind bracing for impact onto a water body, just throw whatever you have in your hand into the water and aim for the splash zone. You might just avoid any debilitating injuries! Presentation Time: Thursday, 1-2 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/87293114488?pwd=QmxrWlM0TnB1RWdPbnkvRE9WZEZIZz09
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
How to Survive a Cliff Jump: Throw Something!
Logan, UT
Experimental evidence suggests the limit of human tolerance to water impact from free-fall is approximately 48 m, any free-fall water impact from greater heights are likely to be just as fatal as free-fall onto a solid surface. The danger comes from the impulse force reaching a high peak in a very short time span. One way of reducing the impulse is for another object to impact the surface first. We present a canonical consecutive sphere impact study showing that a sphere creating an underwater cavity reduces the impulse impact force felt by a trailing second sphere. Our proposed non-dimensional time parameter called the Matryoshka number (Mt) theorizes four different consecutive sphere impact modes, and experiments show a significant impact force reduction of up to 79% can be achieved. Prospective applications of this strategy range from aiding thrill-seeking bungee jumpers to water landing air-crafts, missiles, and even the splash-down of spaceship capsules. So if you ever find yourself in a bind bracing for impact onto a water body, just throw whatever you have in your hand into the water and aim for the splash zone. You might just avoid any debilitating injuries! Presentation Time: Thursday, 1-2 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/87293114488?pwd=QmxrWlM0TnB1RWdPbnkvRE9WZEZIZz09