Publications

This paper and a companion paper show that the traditional limits on amplitude and frequency that can be generated in a laboratory test on a vibration exciter can be substantially extended. This is accomplished by attaching a device to the shaker that permits controlled metal to metal impacts that generate a high acceleration, high frequency environment on a test surface. A companion paper derives some of the mechanical relations for the system. This paper shows that a sinusoidal shaker input can be used to excite deterministic chaotic dynamics of the system yielding a random vibration environment on the test surface, or a random motion of the shaker can be used to generate a random vibration environment on the test surface. Numerical examples are presented to show the kind of environments that can be generated in this system. 9 refs., 9 figs.

This paper presents some simple concepts for fixtures that can be used in two and three-axis vibration testing. Two, two-axis fixtures were built and tested in the laboratory. Test results are shown, and serve to confirm the validity of the concept. Simple methods for extending the concepts for three-axis testing are discussed. 6 refs., 9 figs.

This paper presents a combined analytical and experimental method for establishing a set of equations to evaluate the equivalent forces acting on a structure. The method requires that a finite element model of the structure be established. It further requires that the accelerator responses to the external forces be measured at a number of points on the structure. The equivalent forces established in the analysis are a representation of the actual forces. The equivalent forces concentrate the effects of the external forces at the degrees of freedom where the acceleration responses are measured. 6 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.