System and method for structure stiffness determination

A system for determining the stiffness of a structure, comprising:

• a test member adapted to be connected to the structure, where the stiffness of the structure to which the test member is connected is being determined, and wherein the test member has an impact surface and a measuring surface;
• a beam generator providing a beam of light onto the measuring surface;
• an impactor having at least a portion moveable from a first position spaced from the impact surface to a second position engaged with the impact surface;
• a controller responsive to changes in the beam of light in response to movement of the measurement surface caused by impacting the impact surface with the impactor, wherein the controller determines the magnitude of movement of the measurement surface which is a function of the stiffness of at least a portion of the structure in the area where the test member is connected to the structure.

A system for determining the stiffness of a structure, comprising:

• a test member adapted to be connected to the structure and having an impact surface and a measuring surface;
• a beam generator providing a beam of light onto the measuring surface;
• an impactor having at least a portion moveable from a first position spaced from the impact surface to a second position engaged with the impact surface;
• a controller responsive to changes in the beam of light in response to movement of the measurement surface caused by impacting the impact surface with the impactor, wherein the controller determines the magnitude of movement of the measurement surface which is a function of the stiffness of at least a portion of the structure in the area where the test member is connected to the structure, wherein the position of a least one of the impact surface or the measurement surface is adjustable on the test member and wherein the test member includes a rigid tubular body and the impact surface is carried by an impact member adjustably positionable along the tubular body and the measurement surface is carried by a measurement body adjustably carried by the test member body at a location spaced from the impact member.