Create a Dynamic Wind Sculpture: Tips and Tricks for Instability and Movement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and construction of a dynamic wind sculpture intended to tumble randomly in response to wind, rather than stabilizing or "weather-vaning." Participants explore concepts related to balance, center of gravity, and aerodynamics in the context of creating a sculpture that moves freely with changing wind conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) seeks to create a wind sculpture with three points of rotation that tumbles randomly, referencing past experiences with rocket stability related to center of pressure and center of gravity.
  • One participant suggests that to achieve significant movement, the sculpture should avoid weather-vaning by balancing wind-catching elements close to the rotation point.
  • Another participant mentions a full-scale wind model in Pittsburgh that exemplifies the desired movement, although this may not be directly helpful to the OP.
  • The OP expresses interest in learning more about the artist of the mentioned wind model and requests a photo or link.
  • Additional suggestions include searching for videos on YouTube for inspiration on various wind sculpture designs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple viewpoints on how to achieve the desired movement in the sculpture, indicating that there is no consensus on a single approach or solution. The discussion remains open-ended with various suggestions and ideas being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of achieving the desired instability and movement, with discussions on balancing elements and the influence of wind dynamics remaining unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in kinetic art, engineering design, aerodynamics, and those looking for creative inspiration for outdoor sculptures may find this discussion relevant.

spindog
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I am trying to create a wind sculpture and I could use some help. The sculpture will have 3 points of rotation all driven by the wind. Visualize the letter "Y" and you will have the basic idea. The base has bearings allowing rotation as do both of the arms. My prototype model works to some degree but stabilizes or "weather-vanes". It moves only when the wind direction changes. This is not what I wanted. What I wanted was for it to tumble randomly about. I am remembering my youth rocket building days. There I had to insure that the center of pressure was behind or lower on the rocket than the center of gravity or it would not fly straight. I'm wondering if making the center of gravity and the center of pressure the same spot on my wind sculpture will create the desired instability I'm after. I have no real aerodynamic or physics training/knowledge to speak of. So I'm going to need a laymen description if possible. Thank you for any direction or help you might be able to provide.
 
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This probably doesn't help you much unless you live in Pittsburgh, but near the back entrance to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Library, there is complete full scale wind model that does just what you are after.

Thanks
Matt
 
Thanks DFDFEAGURU for the quick reply. I'm always interested in hearing about this sort of thing. Do you know the name of the artist? Or is there a link that might have a photo?
 
If you want a sculpture that moves a lot, they you will have to avoid weather-vaning. Don't put wind-catching elements too far from a point of rotation unless they are balanced by other elements of roughly equal drag. Something sleek and streamlined is only going to move around when wind velocity and direction change dramatically. You want to make something that is very balanced, so that slight changes in wind direction and velocity will shake it up. Probably the best that you can hope for is to design one of the top ends of the "Y" so that it is very unstable and drives into oscillation easily. Then it should be easier to figure out what your other wind-catchers will do when they are forced into new directions due to the oscillations of the most balanced and unstable element.
 
If you search YouTube for "wind sculpture" there are many videos of various designs you can watch for ideas.
 
I haven't been able to find a picture, but I live close enought to go and take a few for you.

Let me know if you need me to.

Thanks
Matt
 
Spindog,

How is this project working out for you?

Is it complete yet?

Thanks
Matt
 

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