For Students · Skid-to-Stop Speed
Skid-to-Stop Speed for a building collapse
Built for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition. Simulate a building collapse live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Skid-to-Stop SpeedLive
accident reconstruction
Minimum speed at start of skid
43mph
Controls
Presets
The minimum speed at the start of a skid follows v = √(30·D·f·n), where D is skid distance, f the surface drag factor, and n braking efficiency. Uphill grade adds to f, downhill subtracts. Estimation aid — a formal reconstruction requires scene measurement and a drag-factor test.
Data Inspector
Effective f0.70
Speed (km/h)70
Formula√(30·D·f·n)
Governing equation
Reading this result: A 90 ft skid on this surface implies a minimum starting speed near 43 mph — the true speed is at least this, since braking before the skid is not counted.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for students?
- Yes — this version of "Skid-to-Stop Speed for a building collapse" is framed for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.