Virtual Impact Test of Detention Door

This is a model of a detention door, which is composed of an internal steel grid structure covered with steel sheet. The grid presently shown is the finite element mesh of the outer steel sheet. The industry requires that the locks on such doors be able to pass an ASTM F1577 impact test. This test consists of repeatedly ramming the lock with a 200 ft-lbf impact load to simulate the possible damage that could be inflicted by a sledge hammer.

An event simulation of this impact test was developed. Several steel grades and test variations were examined to assist the client in obtaining an optimum lock design. Click here to see an abbreviated, video clip (987KB) of the simulation.

The event simulation report contained, among other information, a series of Displacement vs Time, and Force vs Time plots.

The plot on the left shows how changing the specified yield strength of the dead bolt effects the reaction force exerted on fastener #1 in the lock mounting plated.

The yield strengths considered were 26, 36, 67 & 98.5 ksi. These plots provided useful information for the design of the lock bolt & jam plate.