Modal testing on a limited budget: Analysis of instrumented hammer alternatives for impact testing

In recent years, as the use of numerical modeling has increased, organizations have frequently scaled back their experimental capabilities. Often equipment and expertise are no longer available when modal correlation measurements are required. This presentation is part of a planned series examining a minimalist approach to modal testing. In this presentation, alternatives to a traditional instrumented hammer for impact testing are explored. Comparison testing between a dedicated instrumented hammer procured from a leading structural measurement company and commercial hammers acquired from a hardware store was performed. Two cases of commercial hammers were studied, one featuring a force gauge inserted into the impact hammer face and one with an accelerometer attached to the hammer body. A variety of hammer tips were explored for focused frequency content. Follow-on topics include rudimentary data acquisition options and methods of modal data analysis outside of expensive dedicated modal analysis software platforms.