UWE Bristol Engineering showcase 2015

Greg Hulme
Beng Mechanical engineering
Project Supervisor
John Kamalu
Design, Materials and Manufacture improvements to composite layered
skateboard to prevent snapping under impact
FEA Analysis
It was necessary to find out the maximum stress acting upon the traditional
Maple deck. In order to simulate the applied force finite element analysis can
be carried out using Abaqus software.
Once the boundary conditions were assigned the truck mounts of the deck
will be unable to move in deflection or rotation. A force of 1628.46N
(83kkkk × 9.81 × ssssssssssss ffffffffffff 2) was applied to the centre of the board.
From here a job is run in order to see the results.
Using the Abaqus visualisation tab a deformed plot was created showing the
stress distribution on the deck.
Testing
Three point bend tests can be carried out on the three test panels. These
tests will show the deflection experienced by the deck and will also allow
flexural strength to be calculated.
Flexural strength=
3PPPP
(2bbdd 2 )
Values for the flexural strength and deflection of the three test panels are
compared in the table opposite.
Final Manufacture
Flexural Strength Deflection
Standard Deck 98.1MPa 39mm (half L value)
Lay-up 1 112.13MPa 138mm
Lay-up 2 129.02MPa 145mm
Lay-up 3 153.8MPa 115mm
Project summary
Skateboard design and manufacture has evolved over
the last 60 years, but the skateboard deck still suffers
from fracture under high impact. The study examined
whether the addition of composite layers to the deck
could improve strength. The mechanical properties of
different composites were examined, and several
design options were modelled.
Project Objectives
1.Principal aim:
To provide a solution to the problem of low fracture
resistance of skateboards manufactured with
Canadian Maple.
2. Sub aims:
(i) To analyse the limitations and failure
characteristics of skateboards.
(ii) To relate the failure characteristics of skateboards
to their design, materials and manufacture.
(iii) To improve the performance of skateboards
(particularly their impact toughness) through changes
in their design, materials and manufacture.
Project Conclusion
Insert your project conclusion here:
Type Spec:
Calibri 24pt Medium
Align text Left
One by one, the layers are assembled on the lay-up surface. Once a ply is
positioned a layer of resin is painted over it. The resin and hardener are
mixed in a 3:1 ratio, using 75g or resin and 25g of hardener for each layer.
This will work out as a V m of around 33%.
The method for the final manufacture was the same method used to
manufacture the test panels. The only difference in the process was shaping
the deck. In order to do this a deck was used as a mould.