A question of safety

[Lancs Se7en]

I felt that this was worth posting if for no other reason than it may get back to the ACO
At this years race there was a very dangerous situation developing on the side of the Dunlop bridge that is adjacent to the fair ground. At around 18.00 there were probably hundreds of people trying to get accross the bridge but were unable to do so because spectators were standing on the steps and concrete approach and were blocking the walkway. There were probably a hundred or so people who were stuck on the steps with no possibility of moving backwards or forwards. If just one person had fallen down the steps from the bridge then there could have been a major castastrophe. It seems to me that the ACO need to police this vantage point very vigorously to ensure that there are no injuries or worse.
Spectators should not be allowed to stand on the bridge approach or its steps, it is to damn dangerous.  

[SteveB]

Couldn't agree more - I bieve the blockage was also caused by 3 pikeys indulging in a "Find the Queen" card scam.

[hgb]

Sorry to hold you up, I dropped my ice cream and was just about to pick it up again. I won't do it again, promised.
Joking aside, I came to the same conclusion when passing the bridge during the race... it is pretty dangerous.

[mgmark]

I bieve the blockage was also caused by 3 pikeys indulging in a "Find the Queen" card scam.

Spot on - was there at about the same time.   The other reason for it (and this has always been the case since I've been going to Le Mans) is the number of photographers without long telephoto lens trying to get shots of the cars approaching the bridge.

[Bobblehat]

I have agree about the bridge, although this year when we did cross it was quiet.

The area that worries me the most is the is the quality of the ground,  from the Dunlope Bridge back to the Grandstands past the Museum. In many places there are what look like old concreat posts stiking out of the ground at about 2-3 inches, nicly placed for stubed toes and twisted ankels and, at points there are just straight drop offs expesialy at the point the exit of the tunnel, which one of our boys nearly whent over.

Also walking to Tetra Rouge, at the point just before the little bridge onto the Bugatti (?), there is a nasty drop, which I just avoided, the guy next to me did not, but I think he might of been a little to drunk too notice.

As for the way that they ACO take you into the padock area from Karting Nord side is partically worring, as you have to cross the main access road then through the back of a campsite over the Bugatti into a small carparking area with a nice little drop off (I have seen cars stuck on that) and then through some metal double gates onto another road.

It is about time the ACO put a bit of effort into were the fans are accomadated track side, it would not take too much to tarmac or just clean up and sorted out access, so I dont run the risk of being flated by a quad bike or the like.

I am not a H&S freak, I will take the risks with every one else, but is it too much to ask for the ACO to minimlise that risk

[Steve Pyro]

I wander what the safety working load of the Dunlop Bridge is with respect to the number of people on it at one time?

Time for a quick bending moment calc  

[Ferrari Spider]

just as long it doesn't pass its elastic limit eh steve

[Steve Pyro]

Arhh, the good old 'Modulus of Elasticity'.  I remember it well.

The important one is the Yield Point.  That's when it all goes tits up.  

[SteveB]

"Modulus of Elasticity" - "Yield Point" - "goes tits up "
 - Reminds me of an old girlfriend............

[Ferrari Spider]

at one time could derive these equations from first principles, can't even remeber what they are!

[Steve Pyro]

It's an age thing  

[Ferrari Spider]

Yes, young Mr Brown.  SAGA moments seem to be on an exponential increase of late.  Something to do with greys cells not being replenished fast enough

[Steve Pyro]

Bedtime reading :

".....Young's modulus
In materials science the Young's modulus or modulus of elasticity (and also elastic modulus) is a measure of the stiffness of a given material. It is defined as the limit for small strains of the rate of change of stress with strain. This can be experimetally determined from the slope of a stress-strain curve created during tensile tests conducted on a sample of the material.

The Young's modulus allows engineers and other scientists to calculate the behavior of a material under load. For instance, it can be used to predict the amount a wire will extend under tension, or to predict the load at which a thin column will buckle under compression. Some calculations also require the use of other material properties, such as the shear modulus, density or Poisson's ratio.

For many materials, Young's modulus is a constant over a range of strains. Such materials are called linear, and are said to obey Hooke's law. Examples of linear materials include steel, carbon fiber and glass. Rubber is a non-linear material...."

[SteveZarse]

(Yawn) But it's not even bedtime yet (Yawn) zzzz...