One example is a shock gauge system for measuring an external blast to a hull. The shock gauge system includes at least one accelerometer to produce acceleration data in response to the external blast, a mass with an accelerometer affixed to it, a crush block, a linear displacement potentiometer (LDP), a camera, and a processor logic. The LDP device generates displacement data of a mass being pushed into the crush block when reacting to the external blast. The camera captures images of movement of the mass. The processor logic verifies if the acceleration data is valid by correlating the acceleration data to the displacement data, the images, and/or an amount of displacement into the crush block by the mass. When the acceleration data is valid, the acceleration data may be used to create a more blast resistant hull.

One example is a shock gauge system for measuring an external blast to a hull. The shock gauge system includes at least one accelerometer to produce acceleration data in response to the external blast, a mass with an accelerometer affixed to it, a crush block, a linear displacement potentiometer (LDP), a camera, and a processor logic. The LDP device generates displacement data of a mass being pushed into the crush block when reacting to the external blast. The camera captures images of movement of the mass. The processor logic verifies if the acceleration data is valid by correlating the acceleration data to the displacement data, the images, and/or an amount of displacement into the crush block by the mass. When the acceleration data is valid, the acceleration data may be used to create a more blast resistant hull.

An impact testing machine is configured. The impact testing machine includes: a testing machine body that applies a load having a prescribed speed to a test piece and conducts a test; a controller that controls the testing machine body; a video camera that photographs the test piece; and a pulse generator. The controller includes: a detection signal capturing unit that captures a detection signal of the load in a prescribed measurement sampling period; and a synchronizing signal output unit that outputs a sampling synchronizing signal that is synchronized with the measurement sampling period. The pulse generator includes: a photographing instruction signal generator that generates a photographing instruction signal by multiplying or dividing the sampling synchronizing signal, and outputs the photographing instruction signal to the video camera. The photographing instruction signal issues a photographing instruction to the video camera.

An impact testing machine is configured. The impact testing machine includes: a testing machine body that applies a load having a prescribed speed to a test piece and conducts a test; a controller that controls the testing machine body; a video camera that photographs the test piece; and a pulse generator. The controller includes: a detection signal capturing unit that captures a detection signal of the load in a prescribed measurement sampling period; and a synchronizing signal output unit that outputs a sampling synchronizing signal that is synchronized with the measurement sampling period. The pulse generator includes: a photographing instruction signal generator that generates a photographing instruction signal by multiplying or dividing the sampling synchronizing signal, and outputs the photographing instruction signal to the video camera. The photographing instruction signal issues a photographing instruction to the video camera.

A method for determining a quality of a friction stir welded seam is described. The method involves applying an impact to a welded plate and comparing its damping capacity with the damping capacity of a geometrically equivalent defect-free plate. Damping capacities that differ by a small percent difference indicate that the welded plate is also defect-free. This method is particularly advantageous when dealing with small defects, which produce miniscule changes in natural frequency which may not be measureable.

A rock mechanics test system with impact loading-confining pressure unloading and its usage method. The test system includes bearing frame unit, axial compression loading unit, impact loading unit and confining pressure loading unit. The bearing frame unit includes pedestal, column and cross beam. The column is vertically installed on both sides of the upper surface of the pedestal, and the cross beam is horizontally fixed on the upper part of the column. The axial compression loading unit is fixed at the middle position of the upper surface of the pedestal and is used to exert the axial bottom-up pressure to the sample. The impact loading unit is fixed on the cross beam and is used to exert the axial top-down impact load on the sample.

A method for determining a quality of a friction stir welded seam is described. The method involves applying an impact to a welded plate and comparing its damping capacity with the damping capacity of a geometrically equivalent defect-free plate. Damping capacities that differ by a small percent difference indicate that the welded plate is also defect-free. This method is particularly advantageous when dealing with small defects, which produce miniscule changes in natural frequency which may not be measureable.

Certain disclosed method embodiments concern performing a stalk puncture test to determine force and displacement data. Plant features, such as rind thickness, stalk radius, stalk diameter, section modulus and/or integrative puncture score, primarily applicable to corn, sorghum, sunflower, wheat or rice, can be calculated using the force and displacement data. The calculated plant features are used to select plants for selective breeding to produce lodging-resistant crop hybrids. The present invention also provides embodiments of a hand-held puncture device that can be used to practice disclosed method embodiments.

Certain disclosed method embodiments concern performing a stalk puncture test to determine force and displacement data. Plant features, such as rind thickness, stalk radius, stalk diameter, section modulus and/or integrative puncture score, primarily applicable to corn, sorghum, sunflower, wheat or rice, can be calculated using the force and displacement data. The calculated plant features are used to select plants for selective breeding to produce lodging-resistant crop hybrids. The present invention also provides embodiments of a hand-held puncture device that can be used to practice disclosed method embodiments.

Systems and methods for testing a surface are described. An apparatus can be configured to consistently strike a ball to maintain consistent testing conditions. One or more parameters may be determined based on a path of travel of the ball.