How to calculate the impact energy of a door hitting a door

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the impact energy of a glass door weighing 170 kg that slams against a door stop due to wind load of 2.14 kN/m². The door dimensions are 1.5m wide and 3.0m high, with a pivot point 100mm from the edge and the stop located 350mm from the pivot. Key insights include the complexity of calculating the force upon impact, which depends on the properties of both the door and the stop, and the dynamic behavior of the door as it twists upon impact, resembling a torsional spring effect.

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  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly dynamics and energy calculations.
  • Familiarity with free body diagrams and their application in mechanics.
  • Knowledge of material properties, specifically regarding glass and its behavior under stress.
  • Experience with calculating wind loads and their effects on structures.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the equations for calculating impact energy and force in dynamic systems.
  • Learn how to create and interpret free body diagrams for complex structures.
  • Study the properties of glass as a material, focusing on its tensile and compressive strengths.
  • Investigate the principles of torsional dynamics and how they apply to structural impacts.
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Engineers, architects, and safety professionals involved in structural design, particularly those working with glass materials and wind load assessments.

David Walker
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Could someone help me with this problem?

I have a scenario where a glass door is being caught by the wind and slamming against a door stop and shattering. I would like to work out the impact energy of the door hitting the stop, and if possible an equivalent static force.

The door is 1.5m wide, 3.0m high and constructed of 15mm glass, (170kg total weight).
The wind load is 2.14kN/m^2
The door opens 90 degrees with the door stop 350mm from the pivot. The pivot is 100mm in from the edge of the door.

Thank you.
 

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Can you find any relevant equations? Can you draw a free body diagram?
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I don't believe it's possible to calculate a solution with just the info given.

The force will depend to a great extent on the properties of the door stop and the door. If you assume the door stops moving the instant it hits the stop then the calculated force is theoretically infinite. Obviously the door doesn't stop instantly. I suspect what happens is that the bottom of the door stops quickly but the centre of mass of the door continues and this twists the door. In effect you have a glass torsional "spring" that decelerates the door.

There is probably a way to calculate how the door moves when it hits the stop but it will be quite complicated - too hard for me!
 

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