FEMCI Book - Creating a Random Vibration Component Test Specific... http://analyst.gsfc.nasa.gov/FEMCI/random/randomtestspec.

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Creating a Random Vibration Component Test Specification

One purpose for performing a random vibration analysis is to create a component test level
specification. With a finite element model, a random vibration analysis can be performed to predict
acceleration responses from 20 Hz to 2000 Hz. This response is in turn used as a template to
derive a test level specification. Use these guidelines to create the spec.

Home 1. From NASTRAN random vibration response data (or whatever analysis software you're
Back to the Book using), create a log-log plot of the response of ASD (acceleration spectral density) vs.
Presentations frequency.
References NOTE This will work using any type of ASD response curve. For example, if an engineering
Workshop model (EM) is being tested, responses from accelerometers on the EM can also be used.
Links 2. Add in Component Minimum Workmanship to the plot. For components less than 100 lbs
Users List (45.4 kg), NASA uses these values from GEVS, Table 2.4-5:
Announce List
Guestbook Minimum Workmanship
FEMCI Is
Frequency ASD

20 Hz 0.01 g2/Hz
20-80 Hz +3 dB/oct.
- NASA GSFC
- GSFC Code 542
80-500 Hz 0.04 g2/Hz
500-2000 Hz -3 dB/oct.

2000 Hz 0.01 g2/Hz

Overall 6.8 grms

3. Enclose response curve inside test spec curve using the following rules:

Slopes should be less than + 25 dB/oct or greater than - 25 dB/oct

(this depends on your shaker table, consult your test engineer for exact slope limits);
Frequency bands should be greater than 10 Hz;
Dont plot spec below Minimum Workmanship;
Sharp peaks can be cut off at about 1/2 their height (-3 dB)*
e.g., a sharp peak of 0.52 g2/Hz can be cut off at > 0.26 g2/Hz;
Drop spec curve into valleys that are large;
Try to keep the overall grms level of the spec to be no more than 1.25 times the overall
grms level of the response curve.

The following plot is an example of a spec to be used for component random vibration testing.

* NOTE: 3dB is a factor of 2 for ASD curves (g/Hz) while 6dB is a factor of 2 for grms values. For
example, reducing a peak ASD value of 12g 2/Hz -3dB would give you 6g2/Hz; reducing a value of
12grms -3dB results in a value of 9grms and reducing it -6dB results in a value of 6grms. This tends
to be confusing for people new to random vibration.

Thanks to Bob Coladonato, retired from Goddard, for his assistance with this page.

Ryan Simmons

1 of 2 17/10/2004 11:08 a.m.

FEMCI Book - Creating a Random Vibration Component Test Specific... http://analyst.gsfc.nasa.gov/FEMCI/random/randomtestspec.html

August 1997

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