Thankyou for your offers of support and info already ... and a few questions to address. Last first.
/1/ If there is no demonstrable difference in nose fairing then, for me, it's a fair cop and I will accept the MSAs position on the matter and their plan for 2011 cadet bodywork homogolisaton. Although I have an opinion on the matter that's why I which to execute these tests without bias (and include blunt-on-blunt tests perhaps using the Dartford fairing).
/2/ I agree that speed is important as it would be best to identify if there is a speed at which there is a significant difference in ramp/blunt behaviours. The main constraints here are (a) time to conduct tests and (b) the cost / number of bodywork and chassis we get through. I would dearly like to have a set of incremental tests of (say) 10 mph incrments. We'll see what resources we have and plan accordingly, and even perhaps have a second test day to explore boundaries.
/3/ I am thinking about a winch with or wothout trolly and guide rails too. I initially discounted it as too complicated for such a small project, but will see what glider schools are around as some have winches for ground launch. I have discounted radio control for the very reasonds of controlability at speed.
/4/ For on-board camera I have a 3.4Ghz 9or whatever) camera mounted in a R/C helicopter, this has a live feed to receiver and PC. Resolution is not brilliant but will be adequate for birds eye view of point of impact.
/5/ GrahamS, super. That camera is one of the models I was window shopping for. I will talk with Andy Mellor about the project. For me the dummies are not there for physical tactile measurement, but to give a sense of scale to the images.
/4/ I'll attach the dummy 'hands' to the steering wheel with (say) 1mm plastic tie wraps. Experimenting with my lad I can determine a nominal release force of the hand from the steering wheel and thus determine a correct thickness of tie wrap.
/5/ I will stiffen up the dummy structure, but re-iterate that it is the kart, not the dummy we are focusing on. Timewise this is a
/6/ Schedule-wise completing the tests by Sun 10 Jan would be ideal for me, but it must be weather driven and unfortunately indoors is not an option (yet).
/7/ I'll have a chat to the peeps at MIRA.
/8/ Regarding brakes no decision has been made (I still need to write up in detail the precise test aims and scenarios) but at first stab I'd go for brakes fully on.
Apologies to break up answers in numbered piecemeal fashion but there are many topics to discuss. The project is an open project and I'll publish regularly as materials and constructions develop. Can anyone suggest an easy to use 'blogging' website where I can post pictures and upload PDF documents to ?.
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D.I.Y. crash testing by 'IamSparticus' (24 Nov 2009 @ 11:18)
