Load characteristics based on loading conditions of large soft body used for impact resistance testing of lightweight wall

•A large soft body is used for impact resistance testing of a lightweight wall.•The load characteristics vary with the loading conditions.•Maximum load acting on the test wall increases linearly with the potential energy.•Further, the maximum load is different for different filler types.•The length of the rope used for hanging the body should be greater than 2.5m. The load characteristics of a large soft body used for the impact resistance testing of a lightweight wall varied with the loading conditions. It was found that the maximum load acting on the test wall increased linearly with the potential energy. Further, the maximum load was different for different filler types. It was also found that the length of the rope used for hanging the large soft body should be greater than 2.5m in order to ensure the reliability of the test results. Finally, the axis of the hanging body did not have any effect on the load characteristics.