A pilot got a scary surprise when a bird crashed through the windshield of his plane as he came in for a landing. Broken glass and feathers everywhere it was a scene right out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Could this happen to you? Sure, if you have a plane, but it could also happen while youre driving down the road.
Imagine grooving to your favorite song on the radio when SPLAT! a bird smashes into your windshield. Its estimated that at least 80 million birds are killed every year by crashing into car windshields.1
Bad luck for the birds, but its dangerous for drivers, too. A bird hitting your windshield would surely startle you, and could cause you to swerve or slam on the brakes, putting you and other drivers on the road at risk.
The best thing to do if a bird hits your windshield is remain calm and not make any sudden movements with your vehicle. Then, when its safe to stop, pull to the side of the road and assess the damage.
If theres any damage in the drivers line of sight, its best to call for a tow and have the windshield replaced before continuing on.
If the damage present is minor and doesnt impede your vision, you can continue to operate the vehicle, but make an appointment to have your windshield repaired in the near future.
Specified uniform pressure: q = 3180 kPa (Rhetts Impact Pressure)
Results: D = Es. t3 / [12(1 – u2)] = 70,000 x 6. 73 / [12(1 – 0. 222)] =1. 86e+06 N. mm.
Deflection at the center: yc = -q . a4 / (64 D) = -1 x 3,180. 0 x 10-3 x 504 / (64 x 1. 86e+06) =-0. 2 mm.
Bending moment at the center: Mc = q . a2(1 + u)/16 = 3,180. 0 x 10-3 x 502 x (1 + 0. 22) / 16 =606. 2 N. mm/mm.
Uniform Pressure on Flat Circular Plate (Reference: Roarks Formulas for Stress and Strain, 7th Edition, Table 11.2 Case 10)
Plate’s Fix Supported Radius: a = 50 mm (the poop’s size)
Thickness of plate: t = 6. 72 mm (Properties of Auto Glass According to Germans).
Poissons ratio: u = 0. 22 (Properties of Auto Glass According to Germans).
Es = 70000 MPa is the modulus of elasticity (German Auto Glass Properties).
Imagine that as you’re listening to your favorite song on the radio, a bird slams into your windshield. At least 80 million birds are thought to be killed annually when they collide with automobile windshields. 1.
It is advisable to get a tow and have the windshield fixed if there is any damage within the driver’s field of vision before proceeding.
Could this happen to you? Sure, if you have a plane, but it could also happen while youre driving down the road.
A pilot got a scary surprise when a bird crashed through the windshield of his plane as he came in for a landing. Broken glass and feathers everywhere it was a scene right out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
The best course of action in the event that a bird strikes your windshield is to stay calm and avoid making any abrupt movements with your car. After it’s safe to do so, pull over to the side of the road and evaluate the damage.
FAQ
Can a bird bust a windshield?
Can bird poop crack a windshield?
Can a windshield crack without anything hitting it?
Do windshields crack on their own?