Impact responses of a multi-element quartz shock gauge

Abstract A multi-element quartz shock gauge (MEQSG) with seven active sensing elements has been used to characterize impact loading. The measuring principle is based on the Sandia quartz gauge (SQG) criteria. Gas shock tube tests of the MEQSG have been conducted for uniform planar shock loading. The experimental results confirm the universal response of the seven active sensing elements of the MEQSG. Of particular interest is the application of the MEQSG to sense the direct “ejected matter” (ejecta) shock loading. Data show the total measured ejecta mass, which is in agreement with the predetermined mass. These results demonstrate that the MEQSG can be applied to sense unknown non-uniform spatial loading distribution.