Citation

Gross AG. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1963; 7: 174-176.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1963, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The four basic parameters to be measured in the investigation of any problem in engineering dynamics are: Mass, force, time, and distance. As the very term "dynamics" infers change, the information to be obtained must take the form of change in one of these parameters relative to another. Assuming mass to be constant, the interrelating variables then become force, time, and distance. In dynamic problems of an impact nature, the obtaining of force data in relation to time is normally accomplished by recording the output from a force-cell, or an accelerometer, on a standard oscillographic recorder. Distance as a function of time can also be recorded in this manner by the use of suitable distance transducers. The remaining interrelationship of force as a function of distance can then be plotted from these two sources of data.

It is found in practice, however, that under most conditions, this point-by-point plotting of data is too time consuming to be considered practical. There is need, therefore, for means of obtaining force data directly as a function of distance. It is the purpose of this paper to describe such a method, conceived and developed by the author, that has proved to be particularly well adapted for use in laboratory investigations of an impact nature.