Falling aprons

Abstract

Falling aprons do not always behave as expected, e.g.: sometimes they are not launched. The reasons behind this are unknown what has to do also with the not well-known failure mechanisms responsible for correct functioning of falling aprons. In that respect it is significant that the design rules are based on geometrical considerations. Therefore, the objective of the project is to analyze the present design rules and failure mechanisms regarding correct or incorrect functioning of falling aprons and, if necessary to propose improvements and to validate these improvements by physical tests. In this report the activities carried out in 2006 are summarized resulting in an overview of present design rules, results of experimental and prototype results and possible failure mechanisms. The research will be continued in 2007 with describing successive events related to correct functioning of a falling apron, analyzing constructed falling aprons and to carry out laboratory tests.