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A bobsleigh simulator software

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Abstract

This paper presents a model of the artificial ice track in Whistler, Canada that is based on its construction data, and a model of a two-men bobsleigh consisting of nine rigid bodies, having 13 degrees of freedom and incorporating 17 hard frictional contacts. These models are implemented within a simulator that is capable of performing accurate real time simulations of piloted runs on commonly available PC hardware. The simulation is verified against the results of the official two-men race that took place during the Olympic Winter Games in 2010. The simulator has been used by several professional Swiss pilots during their preparation for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The simulator is exploited to analyse and judge the range of possible driving lines regarding speed and runtime improvements. It could also serve to consult track designers about safety issues and sleigh constructors about the expected dynamics on a track.

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Notes

  1. The Olympic race in Whistler took place in February 2010. Only the best 20 drivers of the current standings are allowed to start in the last run of the race. This is why only the data of 20 drivers is considered.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the bobsleigh pilots Christian Reich, Sabina Hafner, Ivo Rüegg, Fabienne Meyer, Caroline Spahni, Gregor Baumann, Rico Peter and Beat Hefti for their contribution to the parameter estimation of the multi-body model and the fruitful interaction during all Olympic season preparation. Furthermore, the authors express a specific thanks to Dr. Michael Möller for his proficient advice and valuable contributions throughout all of the simulator project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IMES—Center of Mechanics, ETH Zurich, CLA G23.3, Tannenstrasse 3, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

    Georg S. Rempfler

  2. IMES—Center of Mechanics, ETH Zurich, CLA J23.1, Tannenstrasse 3, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

    Christoph Glocker

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  1. Georg S. Rempfler
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  2. Christoph Glocker
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Correspondence to Georg S. Rempfler.

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Rempfler, G.S., Glocker, C. A bobsleigh simulator software. Multibody Syst Dyn 36, 257–278 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11044-015-9450-2

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