SwRI: Structural Dynamics, research, development, analysis, and testing services

  image of truck on which SwRI engineers measured the in-service vibration environment, developed test protocols, and applied vibration control measures to ensure functionality of critical instrumentation
 

SwRI engineers measure the in-service vibration environment, develop test protocols, and apply vibration control measures to ensure functionality of critical instrumentation.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) provides research, development, analysis, and testing services to ensure the functionality, structural integrity, and environmental compatibility of systems and components subject to adverse dynamic operating environments, such as those in the transportation, aerospace, and electronics industries.

 

Over the years, SwRI has developed experience using both analytical and testing procedures to assess the performance of products under these dynamic environments. The testing experience has allowed us to ground our analytical techniques to develop validated models. This also allows SwRI to propose modifications and test them using the models that have a high level of confidence of improved performance. The analytical process has taught us where to place sensors to get good data during testing and what types of testing will expose weakness.

 

  image of electronics equipment undergoing dynamic testing in the high-frequency range while being shaken on a horizontal axis on an SwRI uniaxial electromagnetic shaker system
 

Electronics equipment undergoes dynamic testing in the high-frequency range while shaken on a horizontal axis on an SwRI uniaxial electromagnetic shaker system.

Structural Dynamics Capabilities

Structural dynamics capabilities include:

 

Dynamic Modeling

  • Structural dynamic finite element modeling and simulations of vehicle platforms, civil structures, machines, and process equipment responses to shock and vibration during operation, accident, and natural catastrophes

  • Assessment of component or system structural integrity as affected by dynamic loading

  • Validation of analysis scenarios from test data

Dynamic Testing

  • Simulation of in-service vibration and shock loading

  • Multiaxial or uniaxial dynamic loading

  • Shock testing using shakers, free-fall shock simulation, controlled impacts with programmers, crash testing, and simulated explosive loading

  • Seismic simulations using shock response spectrum or specified time histories

  • Unique instrumentation development for nonstandard experimental applications

System Response Measurement

  • System dynamic response

  • Structural impedance

  • Component coupling characterization

  • Development of elevated response spectra

  • Failure mode identification

  • Support for isolation of shock environment

  • Data acquisition and advanced signal-processing techniques

For more information about structural dynamics capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Daniel Pomerening at dpomerening@swri.org or (210) 522-2318.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.