4. Shock Environment Characterization Using Shock Response Spectra

This chapter introduces the shock response spectrum, or SRS, as one of the fundamental tools in shock analysis. Shock is a transient phenomenon requiring specialized tools and analysis techniques. The shock response spectrum provides information about the spectral content of the transient signal. The shock response spectrum is simply a plot of an extremal response quantity of interest from a series of SDOF oscillators to a transient excitation. This makes it a tool to assess the potential severity of shock excitation on a structure. Typical response quantities are maximum absolute acceleration and velocity, although numerous other options can be derived. This chapter discusses the origins of shock response spectra, presents information on the various types of shock response spectra, and methods for calculating the response spectrum from the transient excitation. Examples are provided along with optimal ways of presenting and interpreting the resulting spectra data.