THE IMPORTANCE OF REALISTIC TESTING. PREDICTION AND SIMULATION OF IN-SERVICE CONDITIONS. PROCEEDIGNS OF THE CONFERENCE HELD AT THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

Accurate life prediction is extremely difficult, and methods based on simple tests with small "academic" specimens can be of only limited value. The characteristics of manufacture, in particular surface condition and residual stresses, can have a marked effect on component life and are difficult to allow for. The development of test equipment and techniques are described in which small electro-magnetic vibrator systems were devised for the application of realistic signals and, in parallel, electro-hydraulic actuators and control systems were developed which led to multi-axial applications of service load data. The intensity of loading influences the location of fracture, and the effects of surface rolling are shown to give unexpected results under service loading. Three examples are quoted of laboratory tests which revealed behaviour not easily predicted from service data. Tests with realistic loadings and service environments on realistic components, structures, and assemblies are clearly possible and are considered essential. Road-load data can be readily recorded and subsequently applied in the laboratory but, disappointingly, many manufacturers fail to exploit modern equipment and techniques and continue to use uniaxial constant-amplitude tests which give a restricted indication of behaviour in the field. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0852985614
• Corporate Authors:

  Mechanical Engineering Publications Limited

  P.O. Box 24, Northgate Avenue
  Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6BW,   England 
• Authors:
  • Wright, D H
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 43-52
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Mechanical Engineering Publications Limited
  • Publisher: Mechanical Engineering Publications Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electromagnetism; Laboratory tests; Load tests; Performance; Testing equipment; Vehicle tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Field performance
• ITRD Terms: 6988: Amplitude; 1354: Components of the vehicle; 8525: Conference; 3874: Control; 5910: Durability; 6954: Electricity; 3674: Equipment; 5520: Failure; 132: Forecast; 2755: Highway; 5431: Hydraulics (fluid); 6237: Laboratory (not an organization); 5567: Load; 9061: Location; 6936: Magnetism; 3647: Manufacture; 5575: Stress (in material); 6438: Surface; 6255: Test; 6288: Test method; 5558: Vibration
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00465174
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: EKDI
• ISBN: 0 85298 561 4
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 31 1988 12:00AM