dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaToy models for the falling chimney
| Authors | Gabriele Varieschi, Kaoru Kamiya |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0210033 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0210033 |
| DOI | 10.1119/1.1576403 |
| Journal | Am.J.Phys. 71 (2003) 1025-1031 |
Abstract
In this paper we review the theory of the ``falling chimney'', which deals with the breaking in mid-air of tall structures, when they fall to the ground. We show that these ruptures can be caused by either shear forces, typically developing near the base, or by the bending of the structure, which is caused primarily by the internal bending moment. In the latter case the breaking is more likely to occur between one third and one half of the height of the chimney. Small scale toy models are used to reproduce the dynamics of the falling chimney. By examining photos taken during the fall of these models we test the adequacy of the outlined theory. This type of experiment, easy to perform and conceptually challenging, can become part of a rotational mechanics lab for undergraduate students.
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"abstract": "In this paper we review the theory of the ``falling chimney\u0027\u0027, which deals\nwith the breaking in mid-air of tall structures, when they fall to the ground.\nWe show that these ruptures can be caused by either shear forces, typically\ndeveloping near the base, or by the bending of the structure, which is caused\nprimarily by the internal bending moment.\n In the latter case the breaking is more likely to occur between one third and\none half of the height of the chimney. Small scale toy models are used to\nreproduce the dynamics of the falling chimney. By examining photos taken during\nthe fall of these models we test the adequacy of the outlined theory. This type\nof experiment, easy to perform and conceptually challenging, can become part of\na rotational mechanics lab for undergraduate students.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0210033",
"authors": [
"Gabriele Varieschi",
"Kaoru Kamiya"
],
"categories": [
"physics.ed-ph",
"physics.class-ph"
],
"doi": "10.1119/1.1576403",
"journal_ref": "Am.J.Phys. 71 (2003) 1025-1031",
"title": "Toy models for the falling chimney",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0210033"
},
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