An impact attenuation surfacing test to analyse the dynamic behaviour of greyhound racetrack sand surface

Abstract

The underfoot surface affects the dynamics of legged locomotion of any kind from a legged robot to a racing greyhound. In racing greyhounds, the surface is one of the leading risk factors contributing to life-threatening injuries. The current standard type of material used in greyhound racing tracks is sand. Two variables affect the sand functional behaviour, namely: the moisture content; and rate of compaction. This paper analyses the effect of altering the moisture content and density on the dynamic behaviour of the sand surface. This paper also presents a method to obtain the mechanical coefficients of the surface via an standard impact test which was applied as an input in the legged locomotion simulation over compliant terrains. The results show that a sand sample with the 20% moisture content and density of 1.35 g/cm3 has the most favourable behaviour with regards to injury prevention.