Practically all mechanical systems are exposed to random vibration and mechanical shock environments during their design lives; some systems will fail due to random vibrations, and mechanical shock is considered one of the most common causes of failure in mechanical, structural, and electrical systems. Random vibrations occur in connection with acoustic noise, turbulent flow, rough pavement, wind, ocean waves, and earthquakes. Mechanical shocks occur in routine shipping and handling, accidental abuse, normal operational environments of ground vehicles and aircraft, and as a result of explosive events in warfare. Shocks also occur in special environments such as during the actuation of explosive bolts and other pyrotechnics.

Engineers frequently design, analyse, and test their systems for random vibrations and mechanical shocks. Random vibrations and mechanical shocks are generated in the laboratory for system tests and for environmental stress screening. Random vibrations are also often used for modal analysis/system identification.

The main objectives of this course are (1) to introduce attendees who are relatively new to mechanical shock and random vibration to the fundamental ideas and practices, and (2) to augment the understanding of those versed in mechanical shock and random vibration through presentations on practical issues in analysis, design and testing.

The course emphasizes fundamental understanding, and includes numerous, practical examples. Some mathematics are used during the class, but complex derivations are avoided. The instructors hope to alert attendees to some of the pitfalls encountered during analysis, design and testing. It is anticipated that the instructors will be available during class and out of hours to assist attendees in formulating solutions to their practical problems.

DAVID SMALLWOOD
Consultant and Course Instructor
STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS ASSOCIATE

David O. Smallwood received his BSME degree from New Mexico State University in 1962 and his MSME degree from New York University in 1964. He started his career in vibration and shock as a co-op student at White Sands Missile Range, NM in 1960.

He worked for Sandia National Laboratories from 1967 to 2003 in the areas of vibration, shock, acoustic, modal, and structural testing. He has published almost 90 articles in the field of vibration and shock. He contributed sections to 4 books, and holds two patents. He was instrumental in the evolution of digital shaker control, and developed several methods for the synthesis of time histories to match a shock response spectrum (SRS) and developed algorithms for the calculation of the SRS. The latter algorithm is in use in the majority of commercial software packages today.

He retired from Sandia National Laboratories in January 2003 as a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff. He is a fellow of the IEST, is on the editorial board of two journals and has won numerous awards including the Vigness Award and the Mel Baron Award from SAVIAC.

He currently works part time at Sandia National Laboratories as a contract employee, teaches short courses, and works as a part time consultant.

 

THOMAS L. PAEZ
Consultant and Course Instructor
STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS ASSOCIATE

Thomas Paez earned a PhD (1973) in engineering from Purdue University and BS and MS degrees (1971) from The University of New Mexico; the subject of his PhD dissertation was the random vibration of nonlinear structures.  He is recently retired from Sandia National Laboratories, and has worked in industry, taught random vibration at the university level, and worked in both experimental and analytical structural dynamics at Sandia National Laboratories.

His key areas of research are in the fields of (1) probabilistic structural dynamics, including basic and advanced random vibrations, (2) modeling, analysis and simulation of stationary and nonstationary random processes, and (3) validation of mathematical models of physical systems.

With Paul Wirsching and Keith Ortiz he has co-authored a text on random vibrations; with Allan Piersol he edited the most recent edition of the Shock and Vibration Handbook; and he has written hundreds of technical papers and reports.

He has won several awards including Outstanding Hispanic Engineer at a National Laboratory (US) and the Henry Pusey Best Paper Award (twice) from SAVAC. Thomas is currently a member of the ASME V&V 10 Committee on Verification and Validation.

With Paul Wirsching, David Smallwood, Keith Ortiz, and Norman Hunter, he has taught about one hundred short courses in random vibration and mechanical shock.

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Most practicing engineers have not had the opportunity to obtain formal education in random vibration or mechanical shock. This course is designed for practicing engineers and managers who may be involved in mechanical shock or random vibration design, analysis, and/or testing, and who want to bridge that educational gap. This course will also be of interest to those already familiar with one or more aspects of mechanical shock or random vibrations and who are interested in broadening their horizons, e.g., from analysis to testing. The course includes many worked examples in random vibration and mechanical shock, and recommendations meant to help and guide designers, testers, and analysts.

Course attendees are assumed to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, or equivalent.

To be updated

For more information about the event, please contact +65 6732 0522 or email marketing@k2bdefence.com