Launching a 50,000 Kg Bus - Calculating Propulsion Needed

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Revelare
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    Bus Propulsion
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the propulsion required to launch a 50,000 Kg bus over a distance of 200 feet. Participants explore various methods of propulsion, including cannon and trebuchet designs, while engaging in light-hearted banter about the feasibility and costs associated with such a project.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the propulsion needed for launching a 50,000 Kg bus over 200 feet, providing a schematic for reference.
  • Another participant references the amount of powder needed to launch a significantly lighter shell, suggesting that this could provide a rough idea for propulsion requirements.
  • A participant shares a video of a trebuchet launching cars, proposing that a similar design could be adapted to launch a bus.
  • Concerns are raised about the practical challenges and costs of building a cannon large enough for the bus, indicating it would be a significant financial investment.
  • Humorous remarks are made about the feasibility of launching a bus compared to launching cows, reflecting a light-hearted tone in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of curiosity and skepticism regarding the feasibility of launching a bus, with no consensus on the best method or the exact propulsion needed. The discussion remains largely exploratory and informal.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not provide specific calculations or detailed engineering analyses, and the discussion includes assumptions about the capabilities of different launching mechanisms without resolving the complexities involved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in physics, engineering, or creative mechanical designs may find this discussion engaging, particularly those with a sense of humor about unconventional projects.

Revelare
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Hello~

Given the average full size bus is 50,000 Kg, how much propulsion would I be required to launch said bus, let's say: 200 feet?

I have drawn a schematic to get you started:

[URL=http://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=buscannonfe2.png][PLAIN]http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/452/buscannonfe2.th.png[/URL][/PLAIN]


Thanks!
 
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Grey hound , Trail way or School bus?
seriously. it takes 490 lbs. of powder to throw a 1200 lbs. shell 26 miles..14 inch dia. barrel
this is old powder technology..new stuff has far better ballistics tables..
but should give you an idea...
 
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2412/buscannonps5.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
M.E.T.A.~

This made my day! I didn't realize such a wonderfully detailed reply was given to my silly message. This was clearly a drunken evening for me. That said, the bus cannon will now become my life's work. Thanks to you, sir! Haha!
 
This trebuchet video shows cars being launched
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/02/car_trebuchet_video.html
It could be modified to launch a bus.
Bob S
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Building a cannon large enough for the bus to fit in might prove a bit daunting. It would likely cost in the multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars to have it machined or cast. It's not something that you can cobble together in your garage.
The trebuchet, though... once you've heaved a couple of cows across county lines, what's a bus? :biggrin:
 
Well Revelare, (1) your drawing made me smile; (2) you had asked a question that I could actually answer (for a change), and (3) perhaps it was a drunken evening for me, too.

That car trebuchet is a pretty hefty beast, isn't it?
 

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