The track consists of three lengths of 12 m each, spiked to Sal wood sleepers placed at a space of 750 mm. The rails are demarcated at an interval of half meter for directing and guiding the positioning of the wagons before an impact. A rigid steel platform of 7 m x 6 m forms a shock table for conducting dynamic tests structural models. The one single shock from end wagon imparts half-sine type of pulse to central wagon. When the other wagon is used to take reaction, it can impart another half sine pulse from rebound. In this way one impact of end wagon can produce series of half sine pulse.
The models constructed on the shock table can be subjected to a series of shocks from one of either direction such as E-22, E-23, E-24 or W-22, W-23 and W-24 may be upto the failure stage. The letter E and W designate impact from east and west direction respectively, the number designate wheel position of loading wagon. Shock or impulse type of loading is imparted to the base of the model constructed on the central platform of Shock Table facility with the help of winch mechanism. In each shock, the absolute peak accelerations at the top and bottom of the models as well as at the base of table are measured. The acceleration time histories are recorded by unidirectional Force Balance Accelerometers (FBA-11) mounted on the model and at the base of table in the direction of loading. The duration of the shock is very less i.e. between 0.1 to 0.4 seconds but the generated acceleration is very high, ranging from 0.2g to 5g depending upon the weight and speed of the striking wagon.
