Use of Digital Signal Processing, Modal Testing, and Finite Element Techniques in Equipment Qualification and Acceptance Testing

A systematic procedure in which digital signal processing, modal testing and finite element techniques can be used in equipment qualification and acceptance testing is presented. A new method was also developed, in which measured transmissibility functions and Fourier transformation techniques were combined to compute instrument response spectra. As an illustrative example of the qualification method, the paper follows the qualification of a safety related Class 1E Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Control Panel subjected to both seismic and hydrodynamic loading conditions.