It's still back to the same point Don--
Padan asked how to get a specific force value (12 tons).
Quoting Don "So Joules isn't the unit of measurement that you (bradh) would've picked." This is an inaccurate statement. In fact, Joules isn't the unit of measurement that PADAN picked. I'm not arbitrarily choosing force units, I'm following through with Padan's question which explicitly requested force units.
Neither you nor fwz answered that question. You answered how to get a specific kinetic energy. That is fundamentally different from a dynamic impact LOAD. This is an important distinction. Now I will grant you that maybe the question was not worded correctly. I will also acknowledge that I don't know what Padan is actually trying to do anymore than anybody else here (hence my encouragement for Padan to clarify).
A drop test is used when one wants a specific impact energy. If one wants a specific impact FORCE, a drop test may still be appropriate. However, as brmech, Sulliven, and I have tried to point out, a variety of factors other than just kinetic energy must be taken into account.
To be completely clear, it very well may be that the impact test is the best approach for Padan. However, the formulas given by fwz will do nothing within themselves to predict the force on the structure.
Impact energy does NOT a priori dictate impact force--this may seem a minor point to some, but this is vitally important if one truly is concerned with the peak FORCE.
You imply that my assertion runs counter to standard test procedures. It does not. Most engineers at Lear, and other engineering companies, would agree with me when I say Joules is a unit of energy, not force.
By your tone, it appears that you've taken my comments personally. I certainly did not intend in my comments to insult anybody; merely to clarify what I feel is an important point. I'm happy to continue discussing the issue. I'm even happy if people are passionate about their views; let's just keep it professional.