ISO 10813-2:2019

Overview

ISO 10813-2:2019 - Vibration‑generating machines - Guidance for selection - Part 2: Equipment for dynamic structural testing provides practical guidance for selecting vibration generators used to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of structures. The standard focuses on choosing an appropriate vibration generator (rated as a single unit) for measuring frequency responses, modal characteristics, and how vibration amplifies or attenuates along structures in laboratory or field conditions. It addresses translational excitation only and complements related test standards such as the ISO 7626 and ISO 10846 series.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Selection approach: Procedures expressed in terms of the force developed by a single vibration generator; guidance for assemblies of phased generators to achieve the equivalent total force for large structures (e.g., dams, bridges).
• Types of excitation and test conditions: Field vs laboratory setups, single‑point vs multi‑point force excitation, and constraints on excitation type for linear vs non‑linear structures (sine excitation required for non‑linear cases).
• Principal characteristics to consider:
  • Rated force and permissible static load
  • Frequency range
  • Limits for displacement, velocity and acceleration
  • Harmonic distortion and spurious motions
  • Resonance frequencies and driving‑point impedance (generator impedance should be much lower than structure impedance)
  • Mounting and coupling requirements (rigid in excitation direction, flexible transversely)
• Equipment families described: electrodynamic (broadband, up to ~15 000 Hz), electromagnetic, piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, hydraulic, mechanical, impactors - with strengths, limitations and installation notes for each.
• Annex material: informative guidance on prognosis of mechanical impedance and worked examples for equipment selection.

Practical applications and users

Who uses ISO 10813-2:2019:

• Vibration test engineers and laboratory managers selecting or specifying vibration generators
• Civil and structural engineers performing dynamic testing of buildings, bridges, dams and large mechanical systems
• Manufacturers and suppliers of vibration‑generating machines assessing suitability for modal testing or structural response evaluation
• Purchasers and third‑party consultants comparing proposals from test laboratories

Typical applications:

• Measuring frequency response functions and modal parameters (natural frequencies, mode shapes, damping)
• Studying vibration transmission and amplification along structural members
• Selecting multi‑generator systems to excite massive or distributed structures in the field

Related standards

• ISO 10813‑1 (environmental vibration selection)
• ISO 7626 series (experimental determination of mechanical mobility and excitation types)
• ISO 10846 series (vibro‑acoustic transfer of resilient elements)
• ISO 2041, ISO 15261 (vocabulary and terms)
• Reference for angular vibration equipment (see cited Reference [8] in ISO text)

This standard is practical for anyone involved in vibration generator selection, dynamic structural testing, and modal analysis who needs clear, force‑based guidance for choosing suitable excitation equipment.