The mission of this facility, which is composed of numerous specialized facilities, is to provide capabilities to simulate a wide range of environments for component and system testing. The environments can range from normal in-use environments to extreme accident conditions. In addition, a wide array of diagnostic equipment, such as nondestructive testing, photometric and optics, and electronic data acquisition, is maintained and developed to support testing and research activities. Tests as diverse as characterization of printed circuit board solder connection strength to full scale impact testing of transport vehicles have been accommodated. These tests can either provide input for numerical simulations or data to validate existing models. Most of the test apparatus was designed and built here and can only be found at Sandia. A close coupling of the development test activities with Sandia's in-house analytical capabilities allows for complete evaluation of system response. In addition, we maintain an ability to handle hazardous or classified test items.
Some of the more unique equipment available for use includes a high-speed rocket sled track, 1.6 million g-lb centrifuge (which can also give a combined vibration and acceleration environment), 40,000 lbf. vibration shakers, climactic testing (including radiant heat and pool fires), non explosive pyrotechnic shock simulations, gas and propellant guns, drop towers and aerial cables for high-speed impact testing, ultra-high-speed cameras, mobile laser trackers, and NDT data acquisition techniques, such as high-speed X-rays, film-less real-time radiography, and holography. These capabilities combined with more traditional test facilities such as shock, vibration, force and pressure, modal and structural dynamics, give the customer the unique ability to perform all required tests at one facility.
Test engineers and technicians are available to the user to define, setup, and run tests, as well as provide post test data analysis. Many of the test personnel are recognized as world-class experts in their field and can provide a scale of expertise that cannot be found elsewhere. Personnel can also provide consultation on required environments, test definition and data requirements, instrumentation development, if needed, test setup and conduct, and data analysis and recommendations.
For information regarding the Engineering Sciences Experimental Facility (ESEF), click here.Users must provide ES&H documentation of test articles prior to shipment to Sandia. Onsite personnel may have to attend Sandia ES&H training prior to working in the facility. Due to potential hazards involved with testing of this nature, Sandia personnel would be required to assist in the test setup and for the actual conduct of the test, under the direction of the customer's test engineer.