Ferris wheels have a long and fascinating history, dating back to 1893 when the first modern Ferris wheel, the Chicago Flyer, was launched. Since then, many iconic Ferris wheels have been built around the world, such as the London Eye Ferris wheel in Britain and the Sky Dream Fukuoka in Japan.
There are three main types of Ferris wheel structures: rigid, flexible, and mixed rigid-flexible structures. The original Ferris wheel was made of rigid trusses, but the weight of such structures limits their size. Nowadays, mixed rigid-flexible structures are the most commonly used type for large Ferris wheels.
The drive system of a Ferris wheel is responsible for rotating the wheel, using friction. There is also a braking system in place to ensure that the wheel can be stopped quickly in case of unexpected circumstances.
From a forced perspective, the drive system can be viewed as the rim restraint in the tangential direction. When the out-of-plane deformation of the rim is significant, there is also some out-of-plane restraint at the drive system.
The loads on a Ferris wheel structure are mainly composed of cable prestress, self-weight load, braking force, wind load, and snow load.
The first-order buckling mode of a Ferris wheel structure is usually the out-of-plane buckling of the rim.
Over the past century, Ferris wheels have evolved from mere entertainment facilities to landmarks with the function of a city card. Ferris wheels, together with roller coasters and carousels, are known as the "Three Treasures of Paradise".
Their appeal has never waned, and people are still attracted to the unique experience of feeling safe and close to the sky while riding a Ferris wheel.
Ferris wheels are often regarded with pride by locals and become local landmarks. They offer a unique perspective of a city, with views from high up that provide a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Ferris wheels are usually situated in central locations and can become the focal point of a city. They often offer a special place for tourists and locals to visit, take photos, and create memories.
The Singapore Flyer is the world's largest Ferris wheel, measuring 165 meters in height, equivalent to 42 floors, and 30 meters taller than the "Millennium Eye" in London.
It opened just in time for the festive season, providing couples with an excellent opportunity to take in the dazzling view of a warm evening.
Sky Dream Fukuoka is located in the western suburbs of Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan, and is the tallest Ferris wheel in Asia and the second tallest in the world. This Ferris wheel is part of a comprehensive entertainment facility with hotels, amusement parks, stores, and restaurants.
It is adjacent to the largest shopping mall in Kyushu, Fukuoka Marinoa.
With a diameter of 112 meters and a total height of 120 meters, Sky Dream ranks second in the world in terms of both the size of the wheel and the total height of the project, after the British Airways London Eye, which is a scenic Ferris wheel located in London, England.
Ferris wheels have become an integral part of many cities worldwide, providing visitors and locals with a unique experience of seeing the world from a new perspective. They have evolved from simple entertainment facilities to iconic landmarks that represent the cities they are situated in.
Ferris wheels offer a place where people can create memories and take in stunning panoramic views of their surroundings. The Singapore Flyer and Sky Dream Fukuoka are excellent examples of modern Ferris wheels that continue to attract visitors from all over the world.
