How do calculate the impact force if you don't know the duration of the impact?

Question

The problem I have is that need to estimate the impact force of a concrete beam that dropped/slipped approximately 1". The beam weighs about 10,000 lbs. I do know that the steel support of the beam deflected about 1/16" to absorb the impact. Is this enough information?

Answer 1

About 20,000 lbs.  (rough estimate)

For a drop so small, it is double the weight.  This is caused by the loading on the steel support.  It acts like a spring.

Here is a problem that I posed awhile ago that might be helpful: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

P.S.  Give Dr. D a thumbs up when you review the question I cite because he gave a good answer.