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The crumple effect

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Created by waveslave > 9 months ago, 5 Jun 2011
waveslave
WA, 4263 posts
5 Jun 2011 11:52AM
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There is a theory being espoused which suggests that the centre strut of a kite (that's the middle one),
directly causes catastrophic failure to a kite in the event of a severe crash.
It is thought by some folks that a stiff centre strut (one that has been pumped up to max inflation),
causes the kite-canopy to rip from trailing edge to leading edge after a hard crash, due to the inability of the kite to collapse at the middle and thus absorb the shockwave.
These same folks advise riders to under-inflate the centre strut to enhance the crumple effect.
Having a kite with no centre strut is also an alternative way to avoid this problem.

hamburglar
ACT, 2174 posts
5 Jun 2011 1:58PM
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^^^just to add , i've found keeping kite in the air also helps to alleviate this problem

GalahOnTheBay
NSW, 4188 posts
5 Jun 2011 2:21PM
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Interesting theory - got any evidence?

waveslave
WA, 4263 posts
5 Jun 2011 12:31PM
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Maybe look to foil kites for the evidence. ^^^
I've never seen a doona ripped across the chord.

Gorgo
VIC, 5127 posts
5 Jun 2011 8:17PM
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The most common failure in foils is the cell wall splitting from front to rear as a result of the shockwave. It often goes unnoticed by some people. It's an easy repair to do.

5 Jun 2011 9:55PM
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Gorgo said...

The most common failure in foils is the cell wall splitting from front to rear as a result of the shockwave. It often goes unnoticed by some people. It's an easy repair to do.


On simple foils like trainer kites, yes it is an easy repair, BUT still not as easy as a LE to TE rip on an inflatable kite, and on other foils especially those designed for water use and that have bridles it can be an extremely complex and costly task, depending on the location of the repair and the design of the kite.
We have had kite repairers refuse to repair some kites!!!

Gorgo
VIC, 5127 posts
5 Jun 2011 11:15PM
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It only ever got hard to repair if it went into the leading edge. Then it was a bastard trying to sew around the curve and get all the mylar bits right.

Anyway, that's beside the point. Shockwave failures have been around since power kiting began and people would crash their foils nose down. Makes a nice boom.



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"The crumple effect" started by waveslave