Thermal Response of Downhill Skis
Abstract
Large temperature increases were measured in downhill skis. A steady- state temperature was observed at the base, indicating that melting occurs over some portion of the base. This steady-state temperature increases with the ambient temperature and depends on ski speed and load, and the type of snow on the surface. Heat was observed to propagate up through the ski in both the field measurements and in a finite element model of a Rossignol DH ski. In that particular ski, much heat propagates along an aluminum plate that connects with the steel edges of the ski. This combination about doubles the heat loss from the base and could reduce the thickness of the layer of lubricating meltwater, especially at lower temperatures. These large temperature increases provide further evidence of the existence of a layer of meltwater that would control the friction. The finite element model allows the predictions of material properties and geometry in the design of sliders for snow and ice. Keywords: Friction, Heat conduction, Skis, Snow.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA219279
Entities
People
- Francis E. Kennedy
- Guy C. Warren
- Samuel C. Colbeck
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory