Experimentally generated high-g shock loads using Hydraulic Blast Simulator

•Developed new experimental method for shock loading of structures.•Examined the effects of varying experimental parameters on the shock pulse.•Compared various shock loads using the shock response spectrum.•Created a range of shocks on a structural specimen using the new methodology.

Reliable and repeatable experimental generation of high-g shock environments is a long-standing problem which faces significant difficulty. The shock levels experienced by various defense-related structural and mechanical components are not always easily obtained in the true environments but are known to span a significant range of peak accelerations and pulse durations. The reproduction of these high-g shock levels in a controlled setting is highly important but also quite complicated. A system which is characterized by substantial energy output, a high level of precision, and adjustability is ideal for producing the varying and intense conditions experienced by structures and components subjected to shock loads.The Blast Simulator, a complex experimental device which simulates explosive blasts without the use of explosive materials, has proven to be an appropriate tool for this application. The system uses high-precision, computer-controlled hydraulic actuators to fire a piston mounted with various impact materials at high velocities into the specified test article. In the developed experimental series, a cylindrical steel specimen is launched by the Blast Simulator from a set of custom pedestals into a catcher pit. The response of the test article to the impact is acquired and analyzed using the shock response spectrum. The results are used to display the capabilities of the Blast Simulator to induce a wide range of shocks on the test article and display the effectiveness of the device as a shock loading tool.