The laboratory is part of the Department of Mechanics of the Royal Military Academy. The main mission of the laboratory is to support the technical education of the students. The purpose is to put the theoretical knowledge into practice. The lab is also used in the frame of master theses or doctorates.
Besides its academic mission, the Laboratory of dynamics of mechanical structures is able to perform vibration testing for external customers. These customers are the Department of Defense and also civilian firms. In most cases, the test object is in development or purchase phase and must be certified for use in specific vibration conditions or for a determined fatigue life.
The LDMS is able to research natural frequencies, to perform sine-sweep, random vibrations and shocks in accordance with several norms like MIL STD 810 ; EN 255-21-1/2 ; EN 61373 ; EN 60571-1 ; EN 60068-2.
The LDMS is equipped with modern high-quality hardware. The main piece is a RMS electrodynamic shaker with a max capability of 18 kN and able which is able to work horizontally as well as vertically. The vibration control and data acquisition & processing has been enhanced recently. The LDMS also offers the possibility to perform vibration testing in environmental simulation (temperature only) by means of a computer piloted climatic chamber.
The realization of specific support assembly (easy to fix on the shaker’s head expander) for the test object is sometimes needed and can be done (if requested) by the technicians of the Royal Military Academy. This workshop is equipped with modern machine tools (CNC milling, turning&grinding machines).
In order to insure the reliability and quality of the performed tests, the LDMS is working in accordance with the directives of the norm ISO 17025 “GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPETENCE OF CALIBRATION AND TESTING LABORATORIES”.