Quantification and design of jumping-ski characteristics

Abstract

Elastic and dynamic characteristics of jumping-skis affect ski performance at all four ski jumping phases. Compared with the number of studies on alpine-skis, there have been few studies on the characteristics of jumping-skis. This article identifies design parameters that have the most influence on jumping-ski characteristics. To identify the elastic and dynamic characteristics of jumping-skis, previous research and testing methods for alpine-skis were modified. Spring constants and bending stiffness distributions for three jumping-skis were measured. Natural frequencies, modal shapes, and damping ratios were also measured. From these results, the bending stiffness distribution was identified as a more elastic characteristic of jumping-skis than the spring constant. The natural frequency and damping ratio were selected as the relevant dynamic characteristics. To determine the effective design parameter for elastic and dynamic characteristics of jumping-skis, a jumping-ski was modeled by finite element method, and the inner structures and material properties of components of a jumping-ski were measured and analyzed. By comparing the simulation with actual test results, the reliability of the finite element method simulation was verified. The geometrical feature of the ski thickness profile is the most significant design parameter for elastic characteristics of jumping-skis. A mechanical property of the face material and wood at the sidewall is a highly influencing design parameter for dynamic characteristics of jumping-skis.