Evaluation and control of conservatism in drop-table shock tests
Absolute acceleration shock specta are the most common means of characterizing mechanical shocks. These shock spectra are of limited use in making a quantitative evaluation of the conservatism contained in a laboratory shock test. This paper presents a technique for evaluating and controlling the conservatism in drop table shock tests. Alternative characterizations of shock transients are introduced which compensate for the limitations of absolute acceleration shock spectra in representing shock environments. A method of analyzing both field and laboratory shock environments is developed which can be used for any type of shock characterization to account for the variability in the description of the environments. Conservatism between the field and laboratory shock environment is then quantified in terms of the index of conservatism (IOC). The IOC can be calculated for any response characteristic of interest. This measure of conservatism possesses the attribute of incorporating information on the uncertainty in either of the shock environments. Control of the level of conservatism in a shock test in terms of a given response characterization is shown to be possible through the derivation of test modification factors associated with desired IOC values. These shock data analysis procedures are demonstrated using field and drop table shock data measured on a simple cantilever beam structure. Curves are generated showing the factor by which the amplitude of the drop table input pulse must be modified to produce the required index of conservatism.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6798099
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-82-1548C; CONF-821040-2; ON: DE83004134
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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