Effects on repeatability and shape of the force pulse due to shape, height, mass, and angle of heavy/hard weight drops

Abstract

Recently a simplified one-third octave band sound and vibration prediction method for heavy/hard impact has been presented. While the prediction method shows good agreement with measured results below 100Hz, there is interest in extending the range where the prediction is considered valid. The authors hypothesize that the lack of agreement at frequencies above 100 Hz is due to low repeatability of weight drops used as the reference drop in the prediction method. First, the authors will verify previous research showing that round objects are far more repeatable than standard gym equipment by comparing the force pulse from round objects to different orientations of commercial free weights. Second, the authors will examine the repeatability of noise generated by different mass round objects dropped from different heights in a standard floor ceiling lab. Additional data will be shared that shows the effect of the shape of the impact foot on the generated force pulse from a laboratory based drop tower.