Modeling and simulation of a random shaker test

Vibration environmental engineering is translated as experimental vibration tests on a shaker. These tests are mostly well known and well standardized. However it often happens that tests supposed to easily take place become unpredictable despite the prior optimizations of the test object and regardless of the efforts spent to adapt the control strategy. When a Device Under Test (DUT) is coupled to a shaker, dynamic coupling appears and can cause serious problems and sometimes the test remains uncontrollable. This article proposes a virtual testing approach in which the test loop is modeled and simulated in order to predict the behavior of the test. The different components of the test loop will be modeled. This obviously concerns the shaker but also the controller, the amplifier and the sensors will be integrated. However, the focus will mainly be set on the modeling of the shaker and the controller as main elements of the test loop.