Specialist Scientific Facilities - Impact Test Tracks

These facilities allow high energy impact tests to be conducted on large, engineering components and structures with the measurement of forces, extensions and accelerations. The test rig takes advantage of the topography of HSL's Buxton site and extends over two acres.

Features
• 265m of four-rail track allowing two opposing trucks to run freely down the opposite slopes of a valley.
• Automated truck release at selected positions.
• Truck masses and speeds allow specimens to be subjected to impact forces in excess of 3MN (300 tonf) at speeds up to 27ms^-1 (60 mph).
• Maximum usable impact energy is 1.8MJ.
• Multi-channel digital data logging optical tracking and high speed digital camera systems for recording output from various force, acceleration and displacement transducers.
• Additional two-rail track.

Applications
• Crashworthiness of railway vehicle/components.
• Dynamic testing of chains, hook and wire ropes.
• Impact resistance of fuel tanks.

This facility is available to public and private sector customers from the UK and overseas and is complemented by the analytical and interpretative skills of HSL's experienced scientific and technical staff.

  More information about impact testing at HSL

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Unit by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.

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