Environmental Stress Testing and Reliability Engineering: A Comprehensive Approach

This training session delves into environmental stress testing methodologies and the fundamentals of reliability engineering. Participants will explore how to design and execute tests to simulate real-world operating conditions (i.e. vibration, temperature and humidity), accelerate life tests, and predict product failures. This course aims to equip engineers and quality professionals with essential knowledge and practical skills in understanding, planning, and executing various types of environmental tests to meet reliability targets.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the purpose of environmental stress testing and its role in reliability engineering.
  • Differentiate between various test types, including temperature, humidity, altitude, and vibration testing, with emphasis on HALT and ALT methodologies.
  • Learn about key measurement techniques and the impact of proper sensor selection and mounting on results.
  • Gain insights into quantitative analysis using Repetitive Shock shakers and single degree of freedom (SDOF) models.
  • Apply test acceleration models (Arrhenius, Inverse Power Law, Wohler, etc.) to predict product lifespan and failure rates.
  • Define reliability concepts, including failure mechanisms vs. failure modes, operational profiles, and statistical life data analysis.
  • Explore best practices for implementing environmental stress screening (ESS) to enhance quality controls in production.

Instructors

Dr. Benjamin Shank


 
Benjamin Shank holds a B.S. in physics from Case Western Reserve University and a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University.  He joined Thermotron Industries in 2015 as an R&D engineer with a focus on electrodynamic shakers, vibration control and associated applications.  In that capacity, he is currently the Immediate Past President of the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST).  He continues to teach physics whenever possible, but officially in evening labs at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

Dr. Julio Pulido


 
Dr. Julio Pulido is a reliability consultant. Previously he was a VP of Global Quality and Reliability Engineering at Phononic. He drives Design for Reliability's capability development and Quality Assurance at Phononic. He holds BS from the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil, MSc from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, PhD from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, PhD Research at Duke University, MBA from Xavier University, and an MSc in Technology from Chicago University. His specialty is structural analysis, vibration, and Structural Reliability design, and accelerated testing techniques. He has published over 80 works at different peer-reviewed international symposiums.

Date and Registration Information

July 14-15, 2026
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Hope College
Holland, Michigan
Early-bird registration ends April 14, 2026. Use coupon code EB26HOPE to save 10%.

Registration Information

Buy Three, Get One Free! Contact IEST for details.

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION Regular
(through 7/9)

IEST Member
IEST Non-member
Student*

$1215
$1475
$737.50

 

  • Transfers: All registrations are transferable to another person for the same event A $35 transfer fee applies. Transfer of a member registration to a nonmember registration will be charged the difference in fees.
  • Cancellations: Cancellation requests received 60 days or more prior to the start of the event will receive a full refund LESS a $75 administration fee. Cancellation requests received 30-59 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellation requests received less than 30 days prior to the start of the event. IEST reserves the right to cancel course(s), in which case registrants will receive a refund of the fee. IEST is not responsible for any refund or remuneration for hotel, transportation, additional registration fees, tours, or other expenses related to attendance beyond the registration fee refund.
  • IEST reserves the right to cancel courses, in which case registrants will receive a full refund of the tuition fee.
  • Program and instructor(s) are subject to change.
  • 1.2 CEUs
  • Payment must accompany registration; there is no invoicing. IEST does not accept purchase orders as a method of payment.
  • All member dues must be current at the time of registration to qualify for the member rates.
  • All education training courses earn Continuing Education Units.

* To qualify for the student rate individual must be a full-time student. To register at this rate, please call IEST at 847-981-0100. Online registration at this rate is unavailable until IEST is contacted.

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