BLOODHOUND SSC - 1000mph Land Speed Record Project

[Terpe]

BLOODHOUND Tours 100 Northamptonshire Schools

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[Steve.r]

cool

[Jamesey]

Great!

When I was studying, our department specialised in finite element analysis. We used our super computer to do the aerodynamic modelling on Thrust SSC, so there was lots of excitement when in broke the record and the sound barrier!

They brought it on a department open day so we could get a good look. It's an amazing piece of engineering.

[grahamw48]

Truly a fine example of all that is best about Britain.

[Arthur Little]

BLOODHOUND SSC, is the ultimate jet and rocket powered racing car, designed to reach speeds over 1,000 mph and set a new World Land Speed Record when it runs on its desert race track across the Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa in 2013.

Read more here

Reckon even the "boys in blue" would lag behind a bit ... trying to "hound" its driver for speeding if it were ever tested on 's Motorways.

[Terpe]

Great!

When I was studying, our department specialised in finite element analysis. We used our super computer to do the aerodynamic modelling on Thrust SSC, so there was lots of excitement when in broke the record and the sound barrier!

They brought it on a department open day so we could get a good look. It's an amazing piece of engineering.

Can I take it you are fellow Engineer Jamesey?

I included that item for many reasons. Not least as I'm an Engineer, my home town is Northampton, and I was also involved with the Thrust projects.

I well remember the days before FEA when we would spend weeks on the stress and deflection analysis all calculated by hand and best guess as to the areas of the structure to look at. He he.

[Jamesey]

Can I take it you are fellow Engineer Jamesey?

Yes, I studied Civil Engineering in Swansea. At the time it was one of the top departments in the country due to all the finite element analysis stuff. Some really clever people were there doing work on all kinds of things, from artificial limbs and gas pipelines to concrete bridges and marine structures. We also had the first departmental super computer in the UK.

As an undergraduate, I was more interested in having a good time and getting drunk then getting involved with the advanced work they were carrying out! I never properly understood FEA and at the time I didn't fully appreciate what it was all about.

But they gave us a fantastic education and I'm proud to have got my degree from there. I had a great time and met some lifelong friends too!