Andrew Davies , a student at Nunnery Wood High School joined MIRA's wind tunnel team for an unusual day's testing in the UK's only commercially available full scale aerodynamic wind tunnel.
Speaking about his experiences Andrew wrote : "...I found out that the wind tunnel is not just useful for cars and bikes and other automotive transport, but also life rafts.
At my visit, I discovered that the Wind Tunnel department also do tests on things such as life rafts. They were testing the life raft to see whether it would rip or tear in high winds. "
The speed of the wind was an average of 30 m/s (67 Mph) , and was rotated by 90/-270 degrees,180/-180 degrees and -90/270 degrees. The life raft is designed to carry 25 persons and the test was to prove it did not rip in high speed winds.
Andrew continued to quote:
"This test is useful because in certain places on the sea if the boat were to hit something e.g an iceberg and crash these life rafts would have to be able to survive high speed winds in order to stay stable. It inflated in about 5 seconds and stayed inflated until deflated manually."
There was also an 8 persons life raft tested that day.
Andrew continued:
"The 8 persons life raft was also tested at 30 m/s (67 Mph) , and was again rotated at all points stopping at each 90 degree rotation.
Both of these life rafts looked quite safe to stay in whilst at high speed winds, but if I had the choice I would choose the bigger one because I am claustrophobic."
If you wish to read about Elaine Bunting's story of 9 Days in a life raft:
Click here
Written by: Andrew Davies.
|
