A Full Factorial Open-Access Dataset for Aerospace Shock Testing

OverviewThis dataset contains experimental measurements of the dynamic response of an irregular aluminium (Al6061) resonant plate for shock qualification testing. The data was collected at the MWL of KTH to support research on impact physics and impulsive excitation response. Experimental Setup Material: Aluminium alloy Al6061 (E=69 GPa, ν=0.33, ρ=2700 kg/m³). Geometry: Irregular quadrilateral plate with a constant thickness of 20 mm (to avoid symmetry-induced behaviors). Excitation: Impact hammer (Dytran Dynapulse 5800B4) with 10 impacts per test at ~6s intervals. Experimental Design and Test ParametersThe dataset was acquired following a Full Factorial experimental design to ensure a comprehensive mapping of the system's dynamic behavior. The following factors and levels were systematically varied across the tests: Boundary Conditions: The dataset includes tests in both "free-free" (suspended) and "fixed" (three-point viscoelastic supports) configurations. Impact Positions: Systematic excitation at predefined coordinates on the plate (as shown in Figure 11). Impact Tip Material: Use of different interchangeable tips (e.g., hard vs. soft) to vary the frequency content and duration of the impulsive force. Impact Speed/Energy: Controlled variation of the impact intensity to evaluate the linearity of the plate's response. Each test run contains 10 impacts per configuration, providing sufficient data for statistical averaging and repeatability analysis. Instrumentation and Acquisition Sensors: 7 single-axis IEPE accelerometers (B&K 4394) mounted on the plate + 1 accelerometer (B&K 8309) and 1 load cell on the impact hammer. Acquisition System: NI cDAQ-9178 with NI-9234 modules. Sampling Frequency: 51.2 kHz per channel. Data format: Acceleration is recorded in g, and force in N. Dataset StructureThe files in this repository provide the raw time histories of the impulsive forces and the plate accelerations. The data is organized to reflect the different experimental conditions and configurations. Comprehensive details regarding the specific measurement coordinates, sensor mapping, and experimental parameters are extensively documented in the associated research article. Publication ContextThis dataset is published in support of a scientific study currently undergoing peer-review. To ensure consistent referencing, the bibliographic details and the final DOI of the article will be added to this record as soon as they become available.