1.0 Introduction
In this report, we will explore possible shapes of a skateboard deck to see how it will affect the performance and mechanical properties. We will use a solid rectangle cross section as our reference shape to derive a shape factor that aims to keep the deck as light as possible. We used a solid rectangle as our reference shape because it is the ideal shape for commercial skateboards. This will allow us to directly compare our explored shape to what is currently used in the market. A quantitative comparision will be done amongst possible shapes to determine the most optimal shape of the deck. In addition, this report will explore the use of hybrid materials, more specifically sandwich panels to increase the performance of the …show more content…
The reason why the deck’s cross sectional shape has not drastically changed throughout the years is based on the origins of skateboarding. We have to remember that skateboarding was based on surfing. Skateboarding first appeared in the 1950s when Californian surfers thought of a way to “surf” on concrete surfaces [1]. Essentially, skateboarding was supposed to be “sidewalk surfing.” If we examine the cross sectional shape of a surfboard, we see that it has a very small thickness and a width that’s much smaller than its length. The dimensions of a surfboard are the basis of the dimensions of a skateboard …show more content…
This allows us to directly compare our explored shape to the shape that is being commercially used. We will use the symbol “γ_B^e” as our shape factor for elastic bending and “γ_B^f” as our shape factor for failure in bending. As mentioned, we constraint our thickness and width for our solid rectangle to be 0.0124m (k) and 0.178m (w), respectively.
γ_B^e=I_(explored shape)/I_(solid shape) =I_(explored shape)/□((wk^3)/12)=I_(explored shape)/□(((0.178)〖(0.0124)〗^3)/12)=I_(explored shape)/□(2.83x〖10〗^(-8) )≥1
γ_B^f=Z_(explored shape)/Z_(solid shape) =Z_(explored shape)/□((wk^2)/6)=Z_(explored shape)/□(((0.178)〖(0.0124)〗^2)/6)=Z_(explored shape)/□(4.56x〖10〗^(-6) )≥1
If our shape factor, γ, is greater than or equal to one, it means that our explored shape is equally as good or better than the ideal shape used in the current skateboarding market.
2.1 Calculation for Shape Factor
Table 2.1.0 Shape Factor for Failure in Bending and Elastic Bending (Hollow rectangle)
Area Bending Factor for Failure: γ_B^f Bending factor for Elasticity: γ_B^e
w=b=0.178
In this report, we will explore possible shapes of a skateboard deck to see how it will affect the performance and mechanical properties. We will use a solid rectangle cross section as our reference shape to derive a shape factor that aims to keep the deck as light as possible. We used a solid rectangle as our reference shape because it is the ideal shape for commercial skateboards. This will allow us to directly compare our explored shape to what is currently used in the market. A quantitative comparision will be done amongst possible shapes to determine the most optimal shape of the deck. In addition, this report will explore the use of hybrid materials, more specifically sandwich panels to increase the performance of the …show more content…
The reason why the deck’s cross sectional shape has not drastically changed throughout the years is based on the origins of skateboarding. We have to remember that skateboarding was based on surfing. Skateboarding first appeared in the 1950s when Californian surfers thought of a way to “surf” on concrete surfaces [1]. Essentially, skateboarding was supposed to be “sidewalk surfing.” If we examine the cross sectional shape of a surfboard, we see that it has a very small thickness and a width that’s much smaller than its length. The dimensions of a surfboard are the basis of the dimensions of a skateboard …show more content…
This allows us to directly compare our explored shape to the shape that is being commercially used. We will use the symbol “γ_B^e” as our shape factor for elastic bending and “γ_B^f” as our shape factor for failure in bending. As mentioned, we constraint our thickness and width for our solid rectangle to be 0.0124m (k) and 0.178m (w), respectively.
γ_B^e=I_(explored shape)/I_(solid shape) =I_(explored shape)/□((wk^3)/12)=I_(explored shape)/□(((0.178)〖(0.0124)〗^3)/12)=I_(explored shape)/□(2.83x〖10〗^(-8) )≥1
γ_B^f=Z_(explored shape)/Z_(solid shape) =Z_(explored shape)/□((wk^2)/6)=Z_(explored shape)/□(((0.178)〖(0.0124)〗^2)/6)=Z_(explored shape)/□(4.56x〖10〗^(-6) )≥1
If our shape factor, γ, is greater than or equal to one, it means that our explored shape is equally as good or better than the ideal shape used in the current skateboarding market.
2.1 Calculation for Shape Factor
Table 2.1.0 Shape Factor for Failure in Bending and Elastic Bending (Hollow rectangle)
Area Bending Factor for Failure: γ_B^f Bending factor for Elasticity: γ_B^e
w=b=0.178