Each year 300 million people ride roller coasters at amusement parks across the United States. Although they are meant for joy and entertainment, the design is very crucial and regulated. Understanding the interaction between components and humans can help create a more thrilling and safer ride. This study researched the design of the course and the structural supports. A unique roller coaster was designed, investigating the relationship between velocity and G forces. With the profile design complete, the corresponding forces resulting from the track and train weight and train movement were calculated to determine the required dimensions of the structural support columns. This work investigated the relationship between the features of the roller coaster and the material properties of the structural supports, determining which are most impactful for the loading conditions. These results can be used to determine the required properties of a roller coaster’s structural system to maximize the material usage to minimize resources and cost.

Creator

• Hunt, Kristen

Contributors

• Rahbar, Nima
• Albano, Leonard D.
• Saleem, Hussam

Degree

• MS

Unit

• Civil & Environmental Engineering

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Language

• English

Identifier

• etd-042318-205416

Keyword

• roller coaster
• structural supports
• Simulation

Advisor

• Rahbar, Nima

Committee

• Albano, Leonard D.
• Saleem, Hussam

Defense date

• 2018-04-23

Year

• 2018

Date created

• 2018-04-23

Resource type

• Thesis

Rights statement

• In Copyright