About the theoretical basis of using pseudo-velocity as shock severity metric

Pseudo velocity shock response spectrum has been increasingly adopted in engineering sectors to measure the severity of shock environment. The justification of using pseudo velocity as shock severity metric is frequently referred to the relationship between structure’s maximum modal stress and velocity, which is inadequate. This research note clarifies the above misunderstanding and provides the theoretical underpinning for the use of pseudo velocity as a shock severity metric based on the lower damage bound concept.