SRS - The Shock Response Spectrum

Do you need to understand mechanical shock? Let’s commence in the time domain. First, consider an undamped 10 Hz fn SDoF system. (That is, its period T is 0.1 second). Subject it to three equal-height x half sine input pulses of durations T equal to

1 second,

0.1 second and

0.01 second.

Observe, in the first figure, that only when shock pulse duration T is close to a mechanical system’s period T is the response (y) likely to be damaging.

That statement is easy to understand for the ultra-simple SDoF system of that first figure, when it is subjected to those three ultra-simple shock pulses. But how does a designer (of vastly more complex structures) proceed if he is told that his product must survive field shocks represented by the vastly more complex-looking pulses at the bottom of that first figure. Our discussion has to include the frequency domain.


29.1 Time domain review

29.2 Why do we need SRS?

29.3 Designer and test labs use SRS

29.4 Beginnings of SRS

29.5 Studying earth motion

29.6 Early studies of shipboard shock

29.7 Understanding the SRS

29.8 The maximax spectrum

29.9 Electronic SRS analysis