Impact force (distance & time after impact unknown)

[Aerstz]

Homework Statement

A vehicle falls 20 mm back onto a smooth steel track after going over a bump. It has polyurethane wheels. Young's modulus is known for both wheels and track materials. What is the force exerted by the vehicle onto the track as it lands?

Homework Equations

F = mdv/dt

KE = (ma^2)/2

F = KE/d

The Attempt at a Solution

I've looked long and hard for a solution to this but all I found were equations (such as the ones above) that require either a pre-known time value for the collision or a pre-known value for distance traveled after impact.

How can an impact force be calculated simply by knowing material properties, mass of falling object, and distance of fall?

Thanks.

 

[CWatters]

I'm not familiar with Youngs Modulus but since you haven't had an answer...

Presumably the youngs modulus can be used to work out an equivalent spring constant for the combined wheel/track. You know the energy compressing it so you can work out the distance it's compressed?

 

[Aerstz]

Thanks. I've since found a couple of equations for impact stress and deflection, based on strain energy.