schoktests

Schocktests, or shock testing, are controlled mechanical tests that expose equipment or components to transient dynamic loads intended to simulate accelerations and impacts encountered during handling, transport, or operation. The aim is to assess the durability of structures, retention of fasteners, seals, and connectors, and the functional integrity of products after sudden loads. Tests specify peak acceleration, pulse duration, pulse shape, number of shocks, and loading direction, as well as rest periods.

Test methods include drop tests, where a device is released from a specified height onto a rigid surface; and hammer- or shaker-based systems that generate defined shock pulses using inertial mass, pendulums, or servo-hydraulic or electrodynamic actuators. Pulse shapes commonly used are half-sine, triangular, or rectangular; shapes and levels follow standards and customer requirements. The orientation of the shock (which side or axis is loaded) is typically varied.

Standards and guidance include IEC 60068-2-27 for shock testing, MIL-STD-810 for military equipment, and DO-160 for avionics environmental testing, among others. Test plans also specify acceptance criteria, measurement methods (often accelerometers and high-speed data acquisition), and post-test functional checks.

Applications span consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, defense, and industrial equipment. The results help identify weak points, guide design improvements, verify qualification under specified shock conditions, and support safety and reliability claims. Tests can be destructive, requiring repair or replacement if devices fail, or non-destructive when only performance is evaluated.