Hydraulic Loading

Two large fixtures have been designed to load entire roof systems and parts of roof systems at different angles. A software configured controller and data acquisition system are setup to control the hydraulic servo valves that drive the pistons. Tests can be conducted to a desired load or displacement at different displacement rates. Several different mounting methods can be used to react loads on the full body, cab, or frame of a vehicle. A large slotted test bed is used to adjust positioning of the fixtures and vehicles, as well as hold everything in place when test conditions are finalized. A large flat plate fixture was designed to accommodate heavy truck cabs as well as full passenger vehicles. Tests using our roof crush systems are quasi-static, offering a slow but controlled load application.

Exponent conducts structural loading tests on complete vehicles and vehicle sub-systems, from automotive glass to heavy truck cabs. Some examples of the TEC's capabilities are:

• Hydraulic power supplies and equipment currently capable of supplying up to 3,000 psi and 70,000 lbs of force
• Standard or custom-made reaction structures to conduct any load test
• Three slotted test beds
• Force application through load or position feedback control
• Static or dynamic loading capability

Related Pages: Test Engineering, Test and Engineering Center

top