Re: physics of anti topple devices
- From: Dave Typinski <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:06:22 -0500
On Thu, 6 Nov 2008 09:32:33 -0800 (PST), sam.n.seaborn@xxxxxxxxx
wrote:
<snip>
Hi all,
I've got a basic question about physics in this (offbeat perhaps)
situation.
I am building a "rack" for some computer servers. The basic structure
for the rack is the IKEA GORM shelving unit (see note [1]). I have the
following equipment to place on the rack.
[1] Link to IKEA GORM unit: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S59850857
My main requirement is that this shelf should not topple. So, my
questions are:
Q1 Unit stability. The bottom shelf of GORM bolts into the legs about
2 inches above the floor, so the unit rests on the legs. (The pic at
[1] shows this.) I am thinking I should saw off the legs so the bottom
shelf sits flush on the floor. I am also thinking of placing 10lb
workout discs on the top shelf, at the rear corners; this seems
intuitive, but is it a sensible topple preventor?
Not in my opinion. Better to put them at the rear corners of the
bottom shelf. They'd be effective over a greater range of deflections
(i.e., the CG would be lower), plus you wouldn't have to worry about
small heavy things falling on your head if the unit toppled.
<snip>
I realize there must be a physically/mathematically optimal solution
(involving free body diagrams and moments of forces if I recall...)
but I am really after a simplistic macro level solution. I would
gratefully appreciate any suggestions (thanks in advance), and perhaps
if the responder/s have questions about computer/hardware/software/
programming, then I can help there too :-)
Assuming the unit is against a wall, the best solution would be to
bolt the top of the thing to the wall.
Assuming you can't do that, the most stable configuration has the
heaviest stuff the closest to the floor; i.e., you want the center of
gravity of the shelf plus its contents to be as low as possible. If
you want to do this with ballast, place the ballast at the rear
corners of the bottom shelf.
--
Dave
.
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- From: sam . n . seaborn
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