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Vibration Absorption in the Tennis Grip and the Effects on Racquet Dynamics

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Vibration Absorption in the Tennis Grip and the Effects on Racquet Dynamics Vibration absorption in the tennis grip and the effects on racquet dynamics Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Nicholas James Savage BSc. Supervisor Professor Aleksandar Subic School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering RMIT University Submitted August 2006 Declaration I certify the work presented in the thesis is that of the candidate alone, except where due acknowledgement is given, and has not previously been submitted, in whole or in part, to qualify for any other academic awards. The content of the thesis is the result of the work carried out since the official commencement date of the approved research program. Any editorial work, paid or unpaid, carried out by a third party contribution is acknowledged. Signed Nicholas James Savage Date i Acknowledgements I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to my research. This thesis has been a long and difficult adventure that has taught me much more than I expected. The work presented in thesis would not have been possible without the help and advice of many people. I would firstly like to thank my family for supporting me throughout my PhD. My father, Neil Savage, has been instrumental in helping me complete my thesis, for which I am eternally grateful. His knowledge and support have helped me conquer the challenges I have faced during my candidature. My mother has also been incredibly supportive during my PhD and this has helped me keep my feet on the ground and achieve my best. Grandparents are great people and should be treated as such. My grandparents (Edith, Joan and George) have shared their knowledge, experience and support with me throughout my research, and it has proven invaluable for helping me complete my work. To my family and friends in England and Australia, I thank you all. My supervisor, Prof. Aleksandar Subic, proved to be one of the best mentors a researcher could ask for. His technical knowledge and determination were an invaluable help to me in achieving my goals throughout my PhD. The support provided by Aleks throughout my research drove the project and allowed me to achieve my objectives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his patience and belief in me. ii “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” -Sir Isaac Newton iii Table of contents Declaration ............................................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................................. ii Table of contents................................................................................................................................. iv List of figures ..................................................................................................................................... viii List of tables........................................................................................................................................ xii Nomenclature..................................................................................................................................... xiii Publications ....................................................................................................................................... xiv Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Rationale.............................................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 Literature review ................................................................................................................................. 8 1.2.1 Overview of lateral epicondylitis......................................................................................................... 9 1.2.2 Dynamic behaviour of tennis racquets .............................................................................................. 12 1.2.3 Mechanics of the tennis grip.............................................................................................................. 20 1.2.4 Active damping technology................................................................................................................ 28 1.2.5 Summary of relevant body of knowledge...........................................................................................29 1.3 Research objectives and scope .......................................................................................................... 33 1.3.1 General objectives............................................................................................................................. 34 1.3.2 Specific objectives ............................................................................................................................. 34 1.4 Thesis overview................................................................................................................................. 35 1.4.1 Chapter 2........................................................................................................................................... 36 1.4.2 Chapter 3........................................................................................................................................... 36 iv 1.4.3 Chapter 4........................................................................................................................................... 37 1.4.4 Chapter 5........................................................................................................................................... 37 1.4.5 Chapter 6........................................................................................................................................... 38 2 Comparing the structural dynamic properties of two tennis racquets ................................ 39 2.1 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 43 2.1.1 Experimental set-up........................................................................................................................... 44 2.1.2 Test racquets...................................................................................................................................... 48 2.2 Experimental results .......................................................................................................................... 50 2.2.1 Racquet A .......................................................................................................................................... 51 2.2.2 Racquet B .......................................................................................................................................... 55 2.3 Discussion of results.......................................................................................................................... 58 2.3.1 Effect of racquet strings..................................................................................................................... 61 2.3.2 Vibration excitation........................................................................................................................... 63 2.4 Conclusions and significance ............................................................................................................ 64 3 Characterisation of tennis grip pressure distributions ......................................................... 67 3.1 Identification of locations in the tennis grip with the greatest contact pressure ................................ 71 3.1.1 Instrumentation ................................................................................................................................. 72 3.1.2 Testing protocol................................................................................................................................. 73 3.1.3 Results and discussion....................................................................................................................... 75 3.2 Use of strain gauge cantilever system grip characterisation.............................................................. 80 3.2.1 Experimental set-up........................................................................................................................... 83 3.2.2 Testing protocol................................................................................................................................. 83 3.2.3 Results and discussion....................................................................................................................... 87 3.3 Real time analysis of tennis grip pressure distribution characteristics .............................................. 96 3.3.1 Experimental set-up........................................................................................................................... 98 3.3.2 Testing protocol............................................................................................................................... 102 3.3.3 Results and discussion....................................................................................................................
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