FDS Validation and Result Comparison

Back to: Test Development with Recorded Data

The fatigue damage spectrum (FDS) can be used to generate an accelerated random test but is also useful for comparing failed product tests, comparing test specifications to real-world data, and determining if a product is being under- or over-tested.

FDS Comparison

As discussed in “Comparing Tests: Industry Standards vs Real-world Data,” industry standards may not be updated for years after they are created. If a test engineer is interested in comparing a test standard to current data, they can do so with the FDS.

As the FDS is reflective of real, measured data, an FDS-generated test profile can be used for an accurate comparison. By confirming the validity of an industry standard, the test engineer can be even more confident in the test results.

A comparison of the standard FDS and field recorded FDS can help a test engineer determine if the full spectrum is valid/invalid or if there are isolated areas of under- or over-testing. For additional analysis, a PSD can be created from the field-recorded FDS using Henderson-Piersol’s potential damage spectrum.¹ The test profile must have the same time frame as the standard FDS for a valid analysis. From there, the FDS-generated test profile and standard profile can be compared.

It is important to mention that the validity of the comparison is dependent upon the product under test and the end-use environment.

Industry Standard Case Study

Vibration Research conducted a case study to compare industry standards and real-world data. An FDS was developed using recorded time history files acquired from a commercially shipped package. Then, a test profile was created with the FDS to replicate a lifetime of damage. The FDS and test profile were compared with similar files generated from the ISTA 3 industry standard test specification.

Overview

The team packaged an ObserVR1000 and multiple external batteries into a common cardboard shipping box. A tri-axial accelerometer was attached to ObserVR1000’s top surface and another to the inside of the box. The ObserVR1000 was turned on and the package was shipped via FedEx. The vibrations were recorded during the hardware’s travel.

Two shipments were used in the study. The first shipment traveled from Grand Rapids International Airport (GRR) to Vibration Research headquarters in Jenison, Michigan. The second traveled from Vibration Research to the nearest FedEx facility and back. The recordings were ended when the boxes returned.

Results

A road travel segment was identified for both recordings. The data from these segments were used for calculation, comparison, and analysis.²

The test profile generated from the recorded data had a broad similarity to the standard test profile but with more variation, which reflects the random nature of real-world events. It is also possible to see the same general areas of relative under- and over-testing in the FDS comparison.

While this case study was not a comprehensive study of packaging behavior, it demonstrates that important insights can be gained through the comparison of an FDS from real-world data and a test standard.

Test Acceleration with Sine and Random Vibration

The FDS is based on the response of single-degree-of-freedom systems. Altogether, the FDS is a reliable method for generating a random test reflective of the real world, which is often non-Gaussian and non-stationary.

However, there are vibration environments with non-random vibration—e.g., repetitive and predictable. Dominant sinusoidal components must be considered when generating an accelerated test profile. In such instances, the FDS would not be the ideal test generation option. Rather, a Sine-on-Random test should be selected.

In the next section, we will discuss a Sine-on-Random test generation method developed specifically for environments with dominant sine and random background vibration.