Development of Alpine Skis Using FE Simulations

Wolfsperger, Fabian; Szabó, Denes; Rhyner, Hansueli

doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.314

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The software used was GOM-Correlate [20]. Knowing the strains in 2 independent directions allowed the calculation of the Poisson's ratio according to Equation (1). The shear module could be finally obtained using the Campbell equation (Equation (2)).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Introduction of Open-Source Engineering Tools for the Structural Modeling of a Multilayer Mountaineering Ski under Operation

Fraccaroli

Concli

2020

Applied Sciences

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Winter sports have significantly developed in the last century. Among others, skiing is a winter-sport branch in which the equipment makes the difference in the performances. While in the beginning of the last century skis were simply made of wood, nowadays the increasing demand of performances and weight reduction has promoted the adoption of composite materials. However, no significant progress has been made in the engineering approach to design such equipment which are very often still designed on the basis of several physical prototypes and trials. This is particularly true in the niche sector of ski mountaineering, where the production batches are significantly smaller with respect to those of alpine skis and at the same time the weight reduction plays a determinant role. In this context, finite elements analysis (FEA) could represent an important tool to shorten the development times and costs leading to a more effective design process. The aim of this research is the development of an accurate virtual model of an existing mountaineering ski, capable of reproducing the behavior of the real component under operation. A preliminary characterization of all the materials used for the different layers of the ski was performed via tensile tests on flat dog-bone-shaped samples in combination with digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. Samples were laser cut from sheets. The tensile tests were performed in the two principal directions for each material. In combination with DIC, these tests allowed us to estimate the four in-plane (XY) elastic properties, namely, the two elastic modules, the shear module, and the Poisson ratio (Ex, Ey, Gxy, νxy). The DIC acquisitions were elaborated with the free software GOM-Correlate. The digital model of the ski was created and simulated in an open-source environment: Code_Aster/Salome-Meca. The reason for using an open-source software is the possibility to parallelize the calculation without restrictions due to licenses and to customize the code according to the specific problem of interest. These aspects underline the potential of open-source software to improve the design process. The results of the simulations were compared with the response of the real ski in a three-point bending and a torsion-bending tests. Differences of 2.5–10% with respect to the real ski were observed for the different modeling techniques. Moreover, the validated virtual model of the ski was used to study the behavior of the ski when interacting with the snow for different roll angles and loads.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finite element analysis (FEA) is already used for the development and design phases of alpine downhill skis [1][2][3][4]. In literature, several works in which the mechanical behavior of alpine or carving skis is analyzed are present [5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction of Open-Source Engineering Tools for the Structural Modeling of a Multilayer Mountaineering Ski under Operation

Fraccaroli

Concli

2020

Applied Sciences

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“…Alpine skiing is a highly popular winter sport that not only generates significant financial turnover for ski resorts and equipment manufacturers (2023 generated USD 4.6bn in the US alone [ 1 ]), but also creates considerable consumer demand for optimally performing, safe, and reliable equipment [ 2 ]. Despite this large market demand for performance equipment, manufacturers often rely on small, incremental improvements [ 3 , 4 ] in ski design through trial-and-error testing and development methods that typically have slow design cycles [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Furthermore, it is often very challenging for consumers to efficiently and accurately select ski equipment based on their personal style and snow conditions [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distributed IMU Sensors for In-Field Dynamic Measurements on an Alpine Ski

Beuken,

Priest,

Hainsworth

et al. 2024

Sensors

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Modern ski design is an inherently time-consuming process that involves an iterative feedback loop comprised of design, manufacturing and in-field qualitative evaluations. Additionally consumers can only rely on qualitative evaluation for selecting the ideal ski, and due to the variation in skier styles and ability levels, consumers can find it to be an inconsistent and expensive experience. We propose supplementing the design and evaluation process with data from in-field prototype testing, using a modular sensor array that can be ported to nearly any ski. This paper discusses a new distributed Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) suite, including details regarding the design and operation, sensor validation experiments, and outdoor in-field testing results. Data are collected from a set of spatially distributed IMUs located on the upper surface of the ski. We demonstrate that this system and associated post-processing algorithms provide accurate data at a high rate (>700 Hz), enabling the measurement of both structural and rigid ski characteristics, and are robust to repetitive testing in outdoor winter conditions.

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“…Simulations based on the use numerical techniques such Finite Element Analysis (FEA) represent a suitable solution for the scope under discussion. These numerical techniques have been used for the design phases of race-carving skis [1]- [4]. The mechanical properties and behavior of downhill component is highlighted in [5]- [7], however, the FEA approach is not yet used for development in the skimo sector.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural Modelling of Multilayer Skis With an Open Source Fem Software

Fraccaroli

Gorla

Concli

2021

Materials and Contact Characterisation X

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The design process of a ski is characterized by a short time of development due to continuous advancements in the material science and in the manufacturing processes as well as in customer's requirements. Nowadays, the development process is very often still based on several physical prototypes and trials and Finite Elements Analysis (FEA) is a significant method to reduce times needed. The aim of this work is to develop a reliable numerical simulation of an existing mountaineering ski, able to predict the performance of the real element. For this purpose, an initial mechanical characterization of all the constituents used in the ski manufacturing was performed. Tensile tests in two directions were performed on flat bone-shaped samples laser cut from sheets. Combining the results of the tensile tests with Digital Image Correlation (DIC) data it was possible to approximate the four in-plane (XY) elastic properties, namely, the two elastic modules, the shear module and the Poisson ratio (Ex, Ey, Gxy, νxy). The DIC free software used is GOM Correlate. Results of the combined "tensile tests -DIC" approach were after verified with FEM simulations reproducing the testing configuration. The digital model of the ski was created starting from the nominal geometry. The whole procedure of modelling, meshing and FE analysis was performed in the open source software Code_Aster/Salome-Meca. Using this kind of software, which code is free to use and modify, permits to reduce costs due to its free license. The real component was tested in a three-point bending and torsion test. This kind of experiments were replicated on the FEM model and results were compared. The comparison highlighted discrepancies of 2.5%-10% with respect to the real component.

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Development of Alpine Skis Using FE Simulations

Cited by 7 publications

References 14 publications

Introduction of Open-Source Engineering Tools for the Structural Modeling of a Multilayer Mountaineering Ski under Operation

Introduction of Open-Source Engineering Tools for the Structural Modeling of a Multilayer Mountaineering Ski under Operation

Distributed IMU Sensors for In-Field Dynamic Measurements on an Alpine Ski

Structural Modelling of Multilayer Skis With an Open Source Fem Software

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