Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Seany on 28/03/2008 22:57:58

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: Seany on 28/03/2008 22:57:58

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archidose.org%2FBlog%2Fcanyon1.jpg&hash=2b2d88f032faad69870542d42901a2ff)

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lonelyplanet.com%2Fblogs%2Ftravel_blog%2Fuploaded_images%2FGrand-Canyon-Skywalk-detail-757734.jpg&hash=234708b4ea87b2013dddf596e100a8e1)

Currently, it supports 72 million pounds of weight! And survives an 8.0 magnitude earthquake 50 miles away..

To make it this sturdy, what have they done?? Do the ends of the horseshoe carry on for like 200 metres so its stuck onto the cliff?

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: Onanist on 29/03/2008 02:55:58

i have vertigo, and just looking at that makes me feel sick.

i really want to give it a try though.

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: JnA on 29/03/2008 03:20:57

I haven't seen the specs or anything, but it looks to me like they did exactly that.. see the windows on the artists impression.. looks like the platform goes a fair way in.


I went to the Grand Canyon while I travelled around the US.. walked down into it.. amazing.. I'd love to try this walk too.

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: Seany on 29/03/2008 12:19:26

[diagram=329_0]

Would it be something like this?

Also, how long would it actually be, if it was to support that much weight? Is there some kind of formula?

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: JnA on 29/03/2008 12:29:29

Maybe.. but please note that I am just guessing.. I have absolutely no real knowledge or expertise in this area.

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: Seany on 29/03/2008 12:37:39

Is the first picture an artist's impression?

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: JnA on 29/03/2008 13:08:53

Sure looks that way to me.

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: Seany on 29/03/2008 13:09:27

Oh I thought it was real LOL

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: JnA on 29/03/2008 13:15:54

Quote from: Seany on 29/03/2008 12:19:26

Also, how long would it actually be, if it was to support that much weight? Is there some kind of formula?

There would be a formula.. Engineer types get paid big bucks to work out all this sort of stuff long before the first stone is touched. They have to consider everything from the structure to the landscape to the local weather before the first stone is touched.

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: Seany on 29/03/2008 13:16:50

I'm assuming we don't know the formula though [;D]

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: JnA on 29/03/2008 13:19:54

You and I don't, but I'm hoping someone out there would.. (especially the guy who designed this skywalk ;) )

Title: Grand Canyon HorseShoe Skywalk thing!!
Post by: Seany on 29/03/2008 13:21:38

I'm not sure he's a member in TNS!