Structural Dynamics Laboratory

The Structural Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) performs structural dynamic testing to verify the survivability of a component or assembly when exposed to vibration stress screening or a controlled simulation of the actual flight or service vibration environment. 

Facility Overview

Environmental stress screening, or workmanship vibration, is used to identify latent manufacturing defects of components before they are incorporated into larger assemblies. Vibration testing is also used to verify design margins of assemblies and to characterize the internal dynamic responses of a test article.

The Microgravity Emissions Laboratory (MEL) is a part of the Structural Dynamics Laboratory that provides testing support for simulation and verification of the International Space Station microgravity environment. Together, the labs combine environmental, modal, and characterization work in one facility.

Quick Facts

Capabilities

Environmental Testing

• Sinusoidal Vibration
  • Sine sweep
  • Sine burst
  • Sine chirp
• Random vibration
• Classical shock
• Force limiting

Modal Testing (Impact and MIMO)

• Boundary conditions:
  • Fixed – base
  • Driven – base
  • Free – free
• 10’ X 10’ Modal floor with a 4” X 4” mounting hole pattern
• An array of modal shakers ranging from 10 lbf to 250 lbf are available
• Resonant frequency/mode shapes
• Structural damping
• Component interface environment

Technical Capability Summary

• Excitation
  • Data physics 5022-3:
    • Sine peak force: 50,000 Lbf
    • Random force rms: 36,000 Lbf
    • Stroke: 3.0 in. pk-pk
  • Ling electronics 4022:
    • Sine peak force: 40,000 Lbf
    • Random force rms: 35,000 Lbf
    • Stroke: 1.5 in. pk-pk
  • MB Dynamics C-60
    • Sine: 6,000 Lbf
    • Random: 4,500 Lbf
    • Stroke: 1.0 in. pk-pk
• Control
  • Vibration Research VR9500
    • 28 input channels
    • Sinusoidal vibration control and analysis software
    • Random vibration control and analysis software
    • Shock control and analysis software

Data Acquisition

• MTS IDEAS Test Acquisition and Analysis Software 

• Portable Data Acquisition capability

Contact

Structural Dynamics Laboratory 
Facility Manager: Emma Gaerke 
419-621-3332 
Emma.L.Pierson@nasa.gov

Using Our Facilities

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland provides ground test facilities to industry, government, and academia. If you are considering testing in one of our facilities or would like further information about a specific facility or capability, please let us know.

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