Amusement Industry Geotechnics: The Ups and Downs of Roller Coasters, Ferris Wheels, and Zip Lines

by Mark W. Glynn, P.E., (F.ASCE), Founder and president of the Glynn Group, headquartered in Lockport, N.Y, atinfo2@glynngroup.com,
, D.GE

Serial Information: Geo-Strata —Geo Institute of ASCE, 2021, Vol. 25, Issue 5, Pg. 24-31


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract: Wooden coasters have existed for over a century, steel coasters about the same. For as long as coasters have been around, so have coaster enthusiasts, some of whom purport the concept of negative g�s. But those of you who hold the same opinion should go back and take a refresher course in statics and dynamics. By simple logic, there�s no such thing as negative gravity because a person or an object cannot weigh less than zero. The confused coaster enthusiast mistakes weightlessness or "airtime" for negative g�s.

Subject Headings: Light rail transit | Wood and wood products | Steel | Industries | Geotechnical engineering

 

Return to search