INTRODUCTION: In recent years the modern sports ski has been developed to a complex structural element, revealing many possibilities to exert influence on its mechanical properties. In the past the range of ski types sold has shown, that models can be adjusted to match the requirements of special styles of riding by fitting the parameters of design. Using computational methods it is even possible to adapt skis to the individual! skier to get an even better performance. METH'OD: As shown by Hebel et. al. 2006 it is possible to simulate the physical reactions of skis by finite element models. In order to integrate this method into production, its complexity had to be reduced. This was done by experimentally determining the physical values of the material and directly feeding them into the numerical model. Now it was possible to more effortlessly calculate the essential parameters of ski design and to optimize its behaviour. To start with, the weight of the rider and the desired pressure distribution underneath the ski were given, which were used to calculate the required preform. The following models will inherit more design parameters to be able to optimize the flex of the ski. RESULTS: Figure 1 shows the calculated required preform of a ski for an eighty kilograms weighing person with constant pressure distribution underneath its skis. DISCUSSION: The just described Simulation provide an efficient and easy way to adjust skis to the weight of riders and to the desired contact pressure distribution. For the untrained eye it is impossible to see the difference between the calculated preform and the common perform but the actual mechanical performance makes a significant difference. It is possible to consider the specific riding habits like leaning back. For further adjustments more degrees of freedom have to be introduced into the numerical model. CONCLUSION: It has been demonstrated, that a taylored ski can be developed. Including more parameters of design into the model will increase the possibilities of adjusting skis and to give a well-taylored optimized behaviour.
© Copyright 2007 4th International Congress on Science and Skiing. Published by University of Salzburg. All rights reserved.