Dynamic Multibody Analysis of Roller Coasters
The design of roller coasters today involves numerous advanced engineering techniques, with Dynamic Multibody Analysis playing a pivotal role. Dynamic Multibody Analysis is crucial in the optimization process of roller coasters, ensuring both safety and performance. This analytical method helps in understanding the interactions between various components of the ride under dynamic conditions, which includes:
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Initial Layout and Proposals: After considering customer requirements, initial drawings are created. Preliminary ride dynamics are evaluated using point masses to develop the first dynamic calculations.
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Interactive Optimization: This phase involves recursive steps where Dynamic Multibody Analysis is used to refine track geometry, evaluate banking, and ensure safety. Full multibody analysis helps assess accelerations, which are then verified against industry standards.
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Detailed Structural Models: Once the track layout is optimized, Dynamic Multibody Analysis assists in the detailed design of structural components, ensuring that forces acting on wheels and other parts are accurately calculated. This step is crucial for generating 3D beam and shell finite element models and performing strength and fatigue checks.
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Car Design: For carriages and train components, Dynamic Multibody Analysis evaluates the accelerations experienced during the ride, contributing to the design's reliability and safety. This includes fatigue testing of bogies, frames, and connections.
Dynamic Multibody Analysis ensures that roller coaster designs are robust, secure, and thrilling, balancing technical requirements with the thrill factor. It is an integral part of the numerical simulation process, enhancing the precision, safety, and efficiency of roller coaster design.
Read the fascinating article on the origin, history, and evolution of roller coasters from their earliest prototypes and then dive into detail on how numerical
simulation of roller coasters works to ensure their success both as entertainment and from a safety perspective for users and operators.
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