ASTM F2137-19

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Designation: F2137 − 18 F2137 − 19
Standard Practice for
Measuring the Dynamic Characteristics of Amusement
Rides and Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2137; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers acquisition of data related to the dynamic characteristics of amusement rides and devices.
1.2 This practice also defines the specific requirements of a Standardized Amusement Ride Characterization Test (SARC Test)
for use in characterizing the dynamic motion of an amusement ride or device.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3.1 Exception—The values are reversed in Section 13 since EN standards primarily use SI units.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F747 Terminology Relating to Amusement Rides and Devices
2.2 SAE Standard:
SAE J211 Instrumentation for Impact Tests
2.2 EN Standard:
EN 13814 Fairground and amusement park machinery and structures - Safety
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 aliasing—a phenomenon associated with sampled data systems, wherein a signal containing significant energy at
frequencies greater than one half of the system sample frequency manifests itself in the sampled data as a lower frequency (aliased)
signal. Aliasing can be avoided only by limiting the frequency content of the signal prior to the sampling process. Once a signal
has been aliased, it is not possible to reconstruct the original signal from the sampled data.
3.1.2 calibration constant—the arithmetic mean of the sensitivity coefficients, evaluated at frequencies that are evenly spaced
on a logarithmic scale between F and F .
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3.1.3 calibration value—the ratio of the reference calibration system output, in engineering units relevant to the transducer, to
the data channel output, in volts, as measured at constant excitation frequency and amplitude.
3.1.4 channel frequency class (CFC)—a frequency response envelope that conforms to Fig. 1 and is referred to by the value F
H
in hertz. The CFC frequency response envelope is defined by the boundaries shown in Fig. 1 and the following characteristic
frequencies:
F —Pass band lower limit (hertz). Always equal to zero (0.0) hertz.
L
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F24.10 on Test
Methods.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2018Oct. 15, 2019. Published November 2018November 2019. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20162018
as F2137 – 16.F2137 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/F2137-18.10.1520/F2137-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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Available from European Committee for Standardization, http://www.cen.eu/.
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FIG. 1 Frequency Response Envelope
F —Pass band upper limit (hertz). The CFC designator.
H
F —The corner or knee of the frequency response envelope. Always equal to or greater than 1.667 × F .
N H
F —The minimum sample frequency for a sampled data system that corresponds to the designated CFC. Always equal to or
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greater than 12 × F .
H
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
F ,F ,F , and F are always specified in hertz. While the characteristics of the CFC may be applied to individual components of
L H N S
a data channel, the CFC is, by definition, the frequency response envelope of the entire data channel from the mounted transducer
to the final representation of the acquired data.
3.1.5 coordinate system—three orthogonal axes that intersect at an origin whose positive directions correspond to the right-hand
rule.
3.1.5.1 measurement coordinate system—a coordinate system that provides the reference axes and sign convention for the test
data record(s).
3.1.5.2 patron coordinate system—a coordinate system that is fixed with respect to the human upper torso and oriented as in
Fig. 2.
3.1.5.3 vehicle coordinate system—a coordinate system that is fixed with respect to the ride or device being tested.
3.1.6 data channel—the entire instrumentation system for a single channel of data acquisition; from the transducer to the final
representation of the data, including all post-acquisition data processing that may alter the amplitude or frequency content of the
data.
3.1.7 data channel full scale—the maximum usable value, in units of the physical phenomenon being measured, that may be
represented by a data channel. This value is determined by the data channel component with the lowest full-scale range.
3.1.8 free-run time—a period of time during the ride cycle when no energy is added to the ride vehicle.
3.1.9 full-scale—the maximum usable value, in units of the physical phenomenon being measured, which may be represented
by a data channel or some component thereof.
3.1.10 “g”—the standard acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the earth. Defined as 32.2 ft/s/s or 9.81 m/s/s.
3.1.11 nonlinearity—the ratio, in percent, of the maximum difference between a calibration value and the corresponding value
determined from the straight line defined by the sensitivity coefficient and zero bias.
3.1.12 reference calibration system—the entire calibration instrumentation system from the reference transducer to the output
device that provides the calibration excitation value in engineering units appropriate to the physical phenomenon being measured.
3.1.13 resolution—the lowest magnitude data channel output value that can be identified as non-zero.
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FIG. 2 Patron Coordinate System
3.1.14 sensitivity coeffıcient—the slope of the straight line representing the best fit, as determined by the method of least squares,
to calibration values generated at a single frequency and at various amplitudes within the data channel full scale range. In the
special case where only a single calibration value is considered, the sensitivity coefficient and the calibration value will be equal.
3.1.15 standardized amusement ride characterization test (SARC Test)—an instrumented test of an amusement ride or device
that is done in conformance to the general specifications of this standard and the particular specifications of Section 12.
3.1.16 test data record—the uninterrupted time record of data channel value(s) that results from a data acquisition session. the
length of a data acquisition session is not specified. The data acquisition session is considered complete (or interrupted) when data
is not recorded for a time interval longer than the sampling period of the data recorder. Both a strip chart paper record and a
computer data file containing periodically sampled data channel values are typical forms of a test data record.
3.1.17 test documentation—the entire body of documentation pertaining to a test performed in compliance with this practice,
including, but not limited to, the test data record(s), data channel specifications and other test specifications, and information as
provided in this practice (see Section 11 and 12.1.9).
3.1.18 transducer—the device at the front end of the data channel that converts a physical phenomenon, such as acceleration,
to a calibrated electrical signal that may be input to the remainder of the data channel.
3.1.19 transverse sensitivity—the sensitivity of a rectilinear transducer to excitation along an axis that is perpendicular to its
nominal sensitive axis.
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3.1.20 zero bias—the magnitude of the data channel output when the transducer input is zero or static.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice is intended for use whenever the dynamic characteristics of an amusement ride or device are to be determined.
The existence of this practice is not intended to imply that there is a requirement to perform specific testing on amusement rides
or devices.
4.2 The general provisions of this practice provide instrumentation specifications, data acquisition and testing procedures, and
documentation requirements that when applied will improve the repeatability, reliability, and utility of the test results.
4.3 Based on the general provisions of this practice, the SARC Test specifications, when followed, will yield standardized test
results regarding the patron-related, dynamic motion of amusement rides or devices. The SARC Test will facilitate both the
meaningful comparison of the dynamic motion of different amusement rides or devices and the tracking of changes, if any, in the
dynamic characteristics of a given ride or device.
5. Data Channel Performance Specifications
5.1 CFC Definitions—The following channel frequency classes are defined as standard:
A B
CFC10 CFC60
F 0.0 Hz 0.0 Hz
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F 10.0 Hz 60.0 Hz
H
F 16.7 Hz 100 Hz
N
F 120 Hz 720 Hz
S
A
CFC10 should be used when the data channel is being used for acquisition of lower frequency events.
B
CFC60 should be used when the data channel is being used for acquisition of higher frequency events.
5.1.1 Other channel frequency classes may be defined as needed or desired by the user of this practice. The proportional
relationship between F ,F , and F shall be maintained for all channel frequency classes.
H N S
5.2 Minimum data channel resolution shall be 2 % of the data channel full scale.
5.3 Maximum nonlinearity shall be 2.5 % of the data channel full scale.
5.4 Minimum time base resolution shall be 1/F (s).
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5.5 Maximum relative delay or time shift between data channels that are nominally acquired simultaneously shall be 1/F (s).
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6. Transducer Performance Specifications
6.1 Transducer selection shall be consistent with the intended test objectives and generally accepted instrumentation and
engineering practice.
6.2 The transducer frequency response curve shall conform to the CFC frequency response envelope from F through 2 × F
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and exhibit no more than +6 dB of peaking at the natural frequency of the transducer.
6.3 Maximum transverse sensitivity shall be 3 %.
7. Recorder Performance Specifications
7.1 Analog Data Recorders:
7.1.1 The analog data recorder shall provide a method by which the zero bias, if any, can be reduced to less than the data channel
minimum resolution prior to acquiring any test data.
7.1.2 Minimum amplitude resolution shall be two 2 % of the data channel full scale.
7.1.3 Paper tape recorders (or their equivalent) shall provide a minimum paper speed, in mm/s, of 1.5 × F (Hz).
H
7.2 Digital Data Recorders:
7.2.1 All data shall be acquired with a minimum CFC of ten.
7.2.2 Minimum amplitude resolution shall be 0.10 % of the data channel full scale.
7.2.3 Minimum sample rate shall be F (Hz) for the chosen CFC.
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7.2.4 Protection from aliasing errors in the sampled data shall be accomplished by pre-sample filtering that conforms to the
specified CFC frequency response envelope for the data channel.
7.2.4.1 Alternate protection from aliasing errors may be accomplished by providing appropriate pre-sample, anti-alias filtering
in conjunction with a higher-than-F sample rate and digital post-acquisition filtering such that the frequency response envelope
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of the data channel conforms to the desired CFC frequency response envelope. The anti-alias filter characteristics shall be such
that the maximum possible signal amplitude at one half the sampling frequency is less than the data channel minimum resolution.
8. Calibration Specifications
8.1 For transducers, data recorders, or any other data channel component that is subject to calibration changes over time, the
calibration constant and frequency response shall be determined and documented annually.
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8.2 Reference calibration instrumentation used as a secondary standard in the calibration of a data channel or any subsystem
thereof shall have current certificates of calibration that are traceable to accepted national standards.
8.3 The reference calibration system and calibration methods shall not introduce a calibration error greater than 1.5 % of the
data channel full scale.
8.4 To establish a data channel or data channel component frequency response and calibration constant, sensitivity coefficients
shall be determined from calibration values measured at a minimum of one signal amplitude that represents at least 50 % of the
full scale range of the data channel or component being calibrated and throughout a range of frequencies from F to 10 × F for
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a given CFC. A minimum set of five sensitivity coefficients establishes the frequency response of a data channel or component.
The minimum set of sensitivity coefficients shall be generated at frequencies that nominally correspond to the following CFC
specifications:
F , F , F , 23F , and 10 3F
L H N H H
8.5 To establish nonlinearity, a minimum of one sensitivity coefficient shall be determined from calibration values generated at
a minimum of three signal amplitudes that nominally correspond to the following percentages of the minimum full-scale range of
the data channel or data channel component being calibrated: Less than 20 % of full scale, 50 % of full scale, and >80 % of full
scale. For the minimum requirement of a single sensitivity coefficient, the nominal frequency shall be halfway between F and F .
L H
8.6 If the calibration equipment cannot produce the required input because of excessively high values of the quantity to be
measured at the specified frequencies, calibrations shall be performed with values reasonably close to those specified and the limits
of the calibration shall be recorded in the report.
9. Transducer Location and Mounting
9.1 General Instrumentation:
9.1.1 Transducer location, orientation, and mounting method shall be consistent with the intended test objectives and generally
accepted instrumentation and engineering practice.
9.1.2 Transducers shall be mounted such that the angle between the sensitive axis (axes) of the transducer and the corresponding
axis (axes) of the selected coordinate system shall be no greater than 5°.
9.2 General Accelerometry:
9.2.1 Mounting—To avoid distortion in the data channel values, accelerometers shall be mounted so as to minimize relative
motion between the transducers and the instrumented surface. When deemed appropriate, an analytical or experimental evaluation
of transducer mounting effects on the data channel should be provided (see 11.1.6).
9.2.2 When multi-axis accelerations at a point are to be measured, the center of seismic mass of each accelerometer shall be
within 60 mm of that point. Each accelerometer axis shall be within one degree of orthogonal relative to the other axes.
10. Procedure
10.1 The unique characteristics of a particular amusement ride or device or other special circumstances may be such that it is
not reasonably possible to test in strict conformance with one or more provisions of this practice. Any deviation(s) from the
provisions of this practice shall be recorded so as to clearly provide a description of the specific deviation(s).
10.2 Field Calibration:
10.2.1 Where practical, all data channels should be subjected to a field calibration procedure to establish the reliability of the
data channel calibration.
10.2.2 For accelerometer-based data channels, the field calibration procedure, may take the form of a 2g “roll-over” test. The
2 g “roll-over” test requires that the accelerometer be placed with its sensitive axis perpendicular to a plane surface that is
nominally level with respect to the earth while the output of the data channel is recorded. The accelerometer should then be
oriented with its sensitive axis parallel to this surface to record a zero-g input. Next, the accelerometer should be inverted with
respect to its original orientation and its output recorded. This procedure will yield a three-point calibration (+1g, 0g, and -1g) with
a nominal 2g range.
10.3 When testing the nominal dynamic characteristics of amusement rides and devices that have characteristics that change
with respect to operating temperature, the rides or devices shall be operated for a minimum of three full cycles prior to data
collection. Additionally, in the case of gravity operated amusement rides or devices, such as roller coasters, the rides or devices
should be operated until free-run times have a variability of less than 5 % prior to data collection.
10.4 The zero bias of each data channel shall be accounted for in the test data record(s).
11. Test Documentation
11.1 Include the following in the test documentation:
11.1.1 General test information, including but not limited to ride or device name, serial number, and location; test date and time;
and the names of the testing personnel.
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11.1.2 A record of the nominal environmental conditions during the test, such as temperature, humidity, and wind conditions.
11.1.3 The test data record(s).
11.1.4 An indication establishing a relationship between at least one time point in each test data record and a corresponding
known physical position of the ride or device in the ride cycle. In the case where a known physical position in the ride cycle cannot
be established due to the random or non-repeatable nature of the ride, an indication establishing a relationship between at least one
time point in each test data record and a corresponding time point in the ride cycle shall be provided.
11.1.5 The results of all field calibration procedures performed as part of the test procedure (see 10.2).
11.1.6 Documentation of the transducer mounting method including the results from any analytical or experimental evaluation
of transducer mounting effects on the data channel (see 9.2.1, 12.1.6).
11.1.7 Documentation of transducer mounting location(s) and orientation(s).
11.1.8 Documentation of the measurement coordinate system, including identification of the positive direction along each of the
coordinate axes.
11.1.9 A description of each data channel utilized during the test, including but not limited to:
11.1.9.1 Data channel title, engineering units, CFC, and data channel resolution.
11.1.9.2 Documentation regarding the inclusion or exclusion of gravity effects in the zero bias for data channels that are
sensitive to gravity.
11.1.10 The manufacturer, model, serial number, and most recent calibration date fo
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