Rockclimbing Fall Physics: Fall Factor

[SnowLurk]

Is there anybody that knows anything about fall factors? I'm a climber trying to learn about the consequences of overloading my gear. Below is a couple of links. One explains what a fall factor is and the other is a calculator that enables you to determine the fall factor and the shock in kilo Newtons (kN). I have played around with the formula and it appears to be flawed when I enter lower values. In the example below, I use 1 foot fall and it would seem impossible that the shock would be 2,000 lbs. Can anybody else confirm this? Please play with it and see for yourself. I occosionally using aid climbing gear that is rated as low as 2 kN. I would like to know how far I can fall on such a small gear item without pushing the limits. Life or death here. LOL


http://www.southeastclimbing.com/faq/faq_fall_factor.htm

http://shockforce.com/


For example if I used variables:

weight = 170 lbs.
Lenght of rope = 1 foot
Distance from last anchor = 1 foot
Type of rope = Dynamic

The output is ??
Fall Factor = 2 severe
Shock= 8.67 kN or 1949 lbs of force (224.81 lbs x 8.67 kN)

 

[LightHero]

It is highly unlikely that a fall on 1 foot of rope will generate nearly 2000 lbs of force. It is more likely that the calculator is flawed or that there is an error in the input variables. Please help and let me know if anybody else has looked into this.