Shock and

vibration

Shock
expertise
With over 40 years of experience,
TNO provides both experimental
and theoretical shock expertise
for a world-wide customer base.
The shock facilities at the TNO
Structural Dynamics lab have been
developed to simulate the effect
of a shock wave generated from a
non-contact underwater explosion.
However, our shock tables are
extremely versatile and can be
adjusted to provide shocks
required in other industries, such
as, aerospace, civil infrastructure,
transportation and space sectors.

Moreover, bespoke experimental

rigs can be built to simulate the
extremes of shock; for example,
shock pulses generated by
pyrotechnic blasts.

TNO combines
expert
knowledge
with
specialist
facilities for
shock and
vibration
testing

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Testing machine Light-weight Medium-weight Heavy-weight

Shock direction Vertical Vertical
Horizontal
Table dimensions (mm)
750
1500 1500
5000 3000
Max. payload (kg)
500
5000
10000
Max. displacement (mm) 70
70
70
Max. velocity (m/s)
9
6
2
10-500
Max. acceleration (m/s2) 100-5000 100-4000
Pulse duration (ms)
3-20
4-20
5-20

Shock testing facilities

At TNO we have three specialised shock
testing machines: a vertical light-weight
machine (a); a medium-weight machine (b);
and a heavy-weight horizontal machine (c).

Each shock machine can be tuned to

our customers individual requirement.
A guideline of the maximum capabilities of
each machine is given in the table above.

in red. Again, the NATO STANAG criteria is

satisfied. Finally, the measured results are
shown as an acceleration time trace.

In the situation where the payload exceeds

the capacity of our machines, the pulse
duration required is shorter or longer, or
the required acceleration differs from that
stated above, we provide specific solutions.
Please contact us for more information.
Standards
Our shock tables satisfy the B, C, D, NSS1
and NSS2 shock curves from standards
BR3021 and BR8470. However, we
regularly test to our clients specific
requirements. We can also simulate the
BV043 shock levels. Tests are typically
validated against the NATO STANAG 4141
and 4549 criteria.

a.

Post-processing
State-of-the-art instrumentation is used
to measure the applied shocks. Through
the use of in-house software, we provide
results in terms of acceleration, velocity
and displacement time traces. Moreover,
according to the NATO STANAG
requirements, we validate tests through
the use of shock response spectra (SRS).
Examples are given below.

Photo: Thales

BR standard
Shown to the right, in the two top figures:
this requirement is given in terms of a
theoretical acceleration time trace; the
BR8470 B pulse is shown in blue. This
requirement is compared to the measured
test accelerations; shown in red. An SRS
comparison between the requirement and
the measured results is shown to satisfy
the NATO STANAG validation criteria.

b.

c.
2

BR standard

NATO standard
Shown to the right, in the lower two figures:
in blue, the customers individual requirement
is given in terms of a three-line SRS of
maximum displacement (left diagonal),
acceleration (right diagonal) and velocity
(horizontal line). The SRS computed from
the measured test acceleration is shown

NATO standard

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Testing machine
Shaker
Test direction Vertical
Horizontal
Max. payload (kg)
700
1500
Excitation frequency (Hz)
1-2000
Max. assembly surface (mm)
1250 1250
Max. force (N)
55000 (sine), 53000 (random)

166000 (shock)
Max. amplitude (random and shock) (mm)
34 peak-to-peak
Max. shock velocity (m/s)
1.6
Vibration testing
Equipment requiring validation against
vibration may be tested on our large
shaker facility. This shaker may also be
used to generate low level shock pulses
and used to perform bump tests.

Drop tests
Drop test facilities are also available,
including a rig with a drop masses from
1 to 9 tonnes. In combination with
cantilevered beams, this can be used
for generating large impact loads of
mega-Newtons.

A guideline of the maximum capabilities

of our shaker are given above. Once more,
expert use of instrumentation is used to
obtain and post-process the test results.
Some examples are shown above right
where, from top to bottom, we show results
from a random vibration sweep, a power
spectral density plot, a generated shock
pulse and the corresponding shock SRS.
Again, in the situation where the payload
exceeds the capacity of our machines
please contact us for specific solutions.
For example, we perform controlled shaker
tests on large masses of several tonnes
using hydraulic actuators. Here, the
frequency can range from 1-100 Hz with
corresponding displacements from tens
to tenths of a millimetre.
We also provide other facilities for expert
testing in the field of shock, shake and
vibrations and, as mentioned earlier, we
like to push the limits of what is possible!

Photo: Thales
3

Pyroshock
We provide drop test facilities which
simulate the high accelerations pyroshock
pulses found in space applications. As an
example, shown above is a measured
result in terms of an acceleration SRS
against a black requirement line.

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Full shock scale trials

In addition to our on-site work, we also
carry out off-shore full-scale shock trials,
where over 1000 measurement channels
are available; see also cover page.

Pushing the limits

Vertical shock testing of an extremely
large item: 5 m 5 m with a mass over
5 tonnes!

What TNO can do for you

At TNO an independent research
organisation over 4,000 experts work
daily to support thousands of customers
worldwide in domains ranging from
Defence and Public Safety to Automotive,
from IT to Human Factors. Based on deep
knowledge and expertise built up in
decades of projects for Navies and
offshore companies worldwide, TNO helps
the maritime industry to develop and apply
innovative products, use sustainable
resources and optimise processes and
production chains.

TNO.NL
Contact
More
Our expertise in instrumentation and
post-processing may also include 2D and
3D optical strain measurements and/or
high-speed camera footage of the tests.
We also have expertise in the impact and
vibration monitoring of off-shore pile-driving.
Moreover, shock testing setups may be
built for specific requirement; such as,
the aforementioned high acceleration
pyroshock pulses found in space
applications. We also offer a service for
designing shock machines and hold both
theoretical and practical shock courses.
Our shock expertise has also contributed
to the development of new standards.

Kirk Green, PhD

Structural Dynamics
Project Manager
T +31 88 866 31 89
E kirk.green@tno.nl
Peter Paul van t Veen, MSc
Structural Dynamics
Research Manager
T +31 88 866 53 67
E peter_paul.vantveen@tno.nl
Pieter Boersma, MSc
Maritime & Offshore
Business Line Manager
T +31 88 866 33 65
E pieter.boersma@tno.nl

TNO.NL/maritime

JRV031012-01

Climate testing
Vibration testing can also be carried out
in our climate chamber. This has base
dimensions 1.4 m by 1.4 m, with height
2.5 m. The internal temperature can range
from 40 C to +150 C, with a relative
humidity level between 30% and 90%.