Specimen Size and Strain Rate Effects on the Compressive Behavior of Concrete

Three high-performance concrete (HPC) materials with different specimen geometries were characterized using Kolsky compression bar techniques to study the strain rate and specimen size effects on their uniaxial compressive strength. A large-diameter Kolsky bar and recently established annular pulse shaping technique were used to achieve dynamic stress equilibrium and constant strain-rate deformation in the experiments. A complimentary effort was conducted using a 19-mm-diameter Kolsky compression bar to understand the strain rate and specimen size effects on failure strength and dynamic increase factor (DIF) for concrete. It was found that, for all three concrete materials investigated, the failure strength is highly dependent on the specimen geometry, however such a relationship is not apparent for the DIF. The DIF observed in this study shows significantly lower values compared to historical data, which may indicate the importance of well-controlled dynamic testing conditions on the accuracy and validity of experimental results for concrete materials.     

A Kolsky bar: Tension,tension-tension

The present paper introduces a new technique which combines rotation disk and traditional Kolsky bar (often termed as split-Hopkinson bar). This technique can be employed to study the tension stress-strain relations and tension-unloading-tension strain-rate history effects of materials in the strain rate range from 10²–10³s⁻¹. The rise time of the incident wave is as short as 15 μs because of the particular design. An attempt is made to estimate strain error caused by the thread connection between the specimen and the bars, and stress error due to the mismatch of the cross section of the specimen and bars. A short rise-time incident wave appears to be most advantageous in view of maintaining the accuracy of the stress-strain curve obtained near the initiation. Preliminary tests are performed on the instrument. Comments are made for this design configuration. M. Li (Student Member of SEM), presently at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Mechanics and Engineering Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, was Research Associate; R. Wang (formerly A.J. Wang) is Professor; and M.-B. Han is Associate Professor, Department of Mechanics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P.R. China.     

一种用于软材料测试的改进SHPB装置

本文提出了一种新的、用于测试橡胶、高弹体及高聚物软泡沫材料动态力学性能的SHPB改进装置。该装置取消了常见的入射杆而采用长杆弹直接撞击试件从而实现了持续的长时间加载，使得在相当大的应变率范围内试件的最大应变在一个加载过程中即可达到。配合该装置采用了瞬态响应优良、分辨率良好的光电式位移测试系统来测量试件的变形；为记录微弱的应变信号，在透射杆中使用了半导体应变片。本方案克服了传统SHPB在测试软材料时由于子弹长度限制带来的加载幅度不足及由于阻抗失配导致的应变信号微弱的困难；与采用高聚物杆的SHPB改进方案相比，本方案的测试结果也更为可靠。在试验装置中还运用了加载整形技术以改善试件中的应力均匀性。从测试结果看，该装置能有效地实现大变形范围、近似恒应变率持续加载以及相应的微弱应变信号的测量。     

Normal and Transverse Displacement Interferometers Applied to Small Diameter Kolsky Bars

For Kolsky bar testing beyond strain-rates of 10,000/s, it is useful to employ bars with diameters of only a few millimeters or less. Furthermore, very small (sub-millimeter) systems are compatible with micron-sized specimens, to be used, for example, for the determination of mesoscale properties. However, at these sizes, traditional strain-gage measurements of the longitudinal waves within the bars become impractical. In this paper we describe the application of optical measurement techniques to two Kolsky bars, with 3.2 and 1.6 mm diameters. A transverse displacement interferometer is used to measure the displacement of the mid-point of the incident bar and provide measurements of the incident and reflected pulses. Similarly, a normal displacement interferometer is used to measure the displacement of the free-end of the transmitter bar and provide a measurement of the transmitted pulse. The new methods are used to characterize the behavior of 6061-T6 aluminum at rates greater than 100,000/s. The feasibility of application to smaller bars is also discussed.     

Dynamic Tensile Characterization of a 4330-V Steel with Kolsky Bar Techniques

Dynamic tensile experimental techniques of high-strength alloys using a Kolsky tension bar implemented with pulse shaping and advanced analytical and diagnostic techniques have been developed. The issues that include minimizing abnormal stress peak, determining strain in specimen gage section, evaluating uniform deformation, as well as developing pulse shaping for constant strain rate and stress equilibrium have been addressed in this study to ensure valid experimental conditions and obtainment of reliable high-rate tensile stress–strain response of alloys with a Kolsky tension bar. The techniques were applied to characterize the tensile stress–strain response of a 4330-V steel at two high strain rates. Comparing these high-rate results with quasi-static data, the strain rate effect on the tensile stress–strain response of the 4330-V steel was determined. The 4330-V steel exhibits slight work-hardening behavior in tension and the tensile flow stress is significantly sensitive to strain rate.     

Loading and unloading split hopkinson pressure bar pulse-shaping techniques for dynamic hysteretic loops

Pulse-shaping techniques are developed for both the loading and unloading paths of a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiment to obtain valid dynamic stress-strain loops for engineering materials. Front and rear pulse-shapers, in association with a momentum trap, are used to precisely control the profiles of the loading and unloading portions of the incident pulse. The modifications, ensure that the specimen deforms at the same constant strain rate under dynamic stress equilibrium during both loading and unloading stages of an experiment so that dynamic stress-strain loops can be accurately determined. Dynamic stress-strain loops with a constant strain rate for a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy and polymethyl methacrylate are determined using the modified SHPB. The modified momentum trap prevents repeated loading on a specimen without affecting the amplitude of the desired loading pulse and without damaging the bar at high stress levels.     

Thickness Effect of Pulse Shaper on Dynamic Stress Equilibrium and Dynamic Deformation Behavior in the Polycarbonate Using SHPB Technique

0Introduction Thehighstrainratestress strainresponsesofpolymersandpolymericcompositematerialshave receivedincreasedscientificandindustrialattentioninrecentyears.Polymericmaterialsaresubjected todynamicloadingandhighstrainratedeformationinavarietyofimporta…     

Pulse shaping techniques for testing brittle materials with a split hopkinson pressure bar

We present pulse shaping techniques to obtain compressive stress-strain data for brittle materials with the split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. The conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus is modified by shaping the incident pulse such that the samples are in dynamic stress equilibrium and have nearly constant strain rate over most of the test duration. A thin disk of annealed or hard C11000 copper is placed on the impact surface of the incident bar in order to shape the incident pulse. After impact by the striker bar, the copper disk deforms plastically and spreads the pulse in the incident bar. We present an analytical model and data that show a wide variety of incident strain pulses can be produced by varying the geometry of the copper disks and the length and striking velocity of the striker bar. Model predictions are in good agreement with measurements. In addition, we present data for a machineable glass ceramic material, Macor, that shows pulse shaping is required to obtain dynamic stress equilibrium and a nearly constant strain rate over most of the test duration.     

Modified Kolsky Formulas for an Increased Measurement Duration of SHPB Systems

The so-called incident, reflected and transmitted strain histories are typically recorded during standard Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experiments. Subsequently, the stress-strain curve for the specimen material is determined based on these recordings. Unless wave deconvolution techniques are employed, the reliable measurement of the reflected wave requires an input bar which is at least twice as long as the striker bar (of equal impedance). The present brief technical note elucidates the advantages of a simple alternative configuration which has only been seldom used in the past. Based on the assumption of quasi-static equilibrium at the specimen level, we present a modification of Kolsky’s formulas such that the stress-strain curve for the specimen material can be obtained from the measurement of the incident and transmitted strain histories only. As a result, the measurement of the reflected wave may be omitted and a much shorter input bar can be chosen. Conversely, a much longer striker bar may be used for a given input bar length, thereby increasing the valid duration of standard SHPB experiments by up to 100 % through the use of the modified Kolky formulas. An example experiment is shown where the duration of valid measurements has been increased by more than 70 %.     

Annular Pulse Shaping Technique for Large-Diameter Kolsky Bar Experiments on Concrete

The goal of this study is to design a novel annular pulse shaping technique for large-diameter Kolsky bars for investigating the dynamic compressive response of concretes. The purpose of implementing an annular pulse shaper design is to alleviate inertia-induced stresses in the pulse shaper material that would otherwise superpose unwanted oscillations on the incident wave. This newly developed pulse shaping technique led to well-controlled testing conditions enabling dynamic stress equilibrium, uniform deformation, and constant strain-rate in the testing of a chosen concrete material. The observed dynamic deformation rate of the concrete is highly consistent (8 % variation) with the stress in the specimen well equilibrated confirming the validity of this new technique. Experimental results at both quasi-static (10^?4 s^?1) and dynamic (100 s^?1, 240 s^?1) strain rates showed that the failure strength of this concrete is rate-sensitive.     

A rigorous assessment of the benefits of miniaturization in the Kolsky bar system

A rigorous experimental and numerical assessment is made of the benefits and limits of miniaturization in the Kolsky bar system. The primary issues that arise in very high strain rate testing (stress equilibration, inertial effects, wave dispersion, friction, and controllability of deformations) are addressed through experiments coupled with explicit finite element analyses. A miniaturized Kolsky bar system that includes the input bar is developed, together with the use of the laser occlusive radius detector to obtain local measurements of specimen strain during the very high rate deformations. It is demonstrated that this miniaturized Kolsky bar system can be used to provide fully validated results, including the explicit determination of equilibration, over a very wide range of strain rates (1×10³ to 5×10⁴ s⁻¹). The desired high strain rate can be achieved even at low accumulated strains, and the total strain developed can be controlled very effectively. Specific conditions are developed for determining the range of utility of the technique for a given material. The technique is applied to the characterization of 6061-T651 aluminum, and the results are compared with the results obtained using a conventional Kolsky bar.     

单轴双向加载分离式霍普金森压杆的数据处理方法

本文中提出单轴双向加载分离式霍普金森压杆（bidirectional-load split Hopkinson compression bar,BSHCB）,即在传统的分离式霍普金森压杆（split Hopkinson pressure bar,SHPB）的基础上增加另一个对称的入射波,两边的入射波同时且对称地对试样进行动态加载。根据一维应力波传播理论,推导出单轴双向加载分离式霍普金森杆的数据处理公式。通过数值模拟分析发现,所推导的数据处理公式可以用于计算单轴双向加载实验中试样的工程应力、工程应变和工程应变率。此外,单轴双向对称加载不仅可缩短试样内部应力均匀化的过程,而且可以提高试样应变率。     

SHPB试验中试件的轴向应力均匀性

针对SHPB试验中试件的轴向应力均匀性问题,采用一维弹性波理论,推导了具有任意形状前沿的入射波加载下,试件内应力的时空分布计算公式。以脉冲前沿的上升时间为参数,将矩形、梯形和坡形3种典型的输入脉冲统一表示为梯形波的形式,计算了不同入射波上升时间和不同试件-压杆波阻抗比情况下试件中的应力传播过程,得到了相应的应力均匀度时程曲线以及应力平衡时间。分析了入射波上升时间和试件-压杆波阻抗比对应力平衡时间的影响,得到了一些有意义的认识,为SHPB试验的设计与分析提供了一定的理论依据。     

High-rate Characterization of 304L Stainless Steel at Elevated Temperatures for Recrystallization Investigation

An integrated experimental technique was developed for high-rate mechanical characterization of 304L stainless steel at elevated temperatures by using a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). A sandwich structure consisting of two platens and the specimen in between was heated before mechanical loading while the bars were maintained at room temperature to eliminate the temperature gradient effect on the wave propagation in the bars. Upon contacting the cold bars, temperature gradients form in the platens, leaving the temperature in specimen constant and uniform. Pulse shaping techniques were employed to maintain constant strain-rate deformation and dynamic stress equilibrium in the specimen. Dynamic compressive stress-strain curves at elevated temperatures for the 304L stainless steel were obtained. To relate recrystallization to impact loading, a momentum trapping system was employed to apply a single loading on the specimen during one dynamic experiment. We also controlled the quenching time to study its effect on recrystallization.     

Dynamic compressive responses of intact and damaged ceramics from a single split Hopkinson pressure bar experiment

A novel dynamic compressive experimental technique has been developed based on a split Hopkinson pressure bar. This new method dynamically loads the ceramic specimen by two consecutive stress pulses. The first pulse determines the dynamic response of the intact ceramic materiaal and then crushes the specimen, and the second pulse determines the dynamic compressive constitutive behavior of the ceramic rubble. Precise pulse shaping ensures that the specimen deforms at nearly constant strain rates under dynamic stress equilibrium during the loading by both stress pulses. Pulse shaping also controls the amplitudes of loading pulses, the values of strain rates, the maximum strains in the rubble specimens, and the proper separation time between the two loading pulses. The feasibility of the new technique is demonstrated by the experimental results obtained on an AD995 alumina.     

A split Hopkinson bar technique for low-impedance materials

An experimental technique that modifies the conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar has been developed for measuring the compressive stress-strain responses of materials with low mechanical impedance and low compressive strengths such as elastomers at high strain rates. A high-strength aluminum alloy was used for the bar materials instead of steel, and the transmission bar was hollow. The lower Young's modulus of the aluminum alloy and the smaller cross-sectional area of the hollow bar increased the amplitude of the transmitted strain signal by an order of magnitude as compared to a conventional steel bar. In addition, a pulse shaper lengthened the rise time of the incident pulse to ensure stress equilibrium and homogeneous deformation in the low-impedance specimen. Experimental results show that the high strain rate, compressive stress-strain behavior of an elastomeric material can be determined accurately and reliably using this technique.     

Pulse shaping techniques for testing elastic-plastic materials with a split Hopkinson pressure bar

We present pulse shaping techniques to obtain compressive stress-strain data for elastic-plastic materials with a split Hopkinson pressure bar. The conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus is modified by placing a combination of copper and steel pulse shapers on the impact surface of the incident bar. After impact by the striker bar, the copper-steel pulse shaper deforms plastically and spreads the pulse in the incident bar so that the sample is nearly in dynamic stress equilibrium and has a nearly constant strain rate in the plastic response region. We present analytical models and data that show a broad range of incident strain pulses can be obtained by varying the pulse shaper geometry and striking velocity. For an application, we present compressive stress-strain data for 4340 R_c 43 steel.     

Hopkinson拉杆试验的优化与高导无氧铜拉伸本构关系的确定

为有效测量试件中的应力、应变及应变率,Hopkinson拉伸试验(TSHB)必须作优化分析,所进行的数值模拟涉及试件与杆件等连接对于实验结果的影响.为减小上升前沿、惯性效应且使试件处于一维应力及均匀应力与应变状态,优化的试件具有一定的长度与形状要求.对于高导无氧铜,由准静态试验及不同应变率与温度的优化TSHB试验得到一...     

Modification of the kolsky method for studying properties of low‐density materials under high‐velocity cyclic strain

A modification of the Kolsky method with the use of the split Hopkinson bar is proposed, which allows testing lowdensity materials under cyclic loads of an identical sign. Cyclic dynamic testing of specimens is based on the essential difference of acoustic impedances of the material of the specimen tested from the material of pressure bars. The choice of the supportbar length several times greater than the loadingbar length allows registration of strain pulses in several cycles. Results are presented for the proposed modification of the Kolsky method used for tests in compression of foam plastic of two densities under three loading cycles.     

A quartz-crystal-embedded split Hopkinson pressure bar for soft materials

A dynamic experimental technique that is three orders of magnitude as sensitive in stress measurement as a conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) has been developed. Experimental results show that this new method is effective and reliable for determining the dynamic compressive stress-strain responses of materials with low mechanical impedance and low compressive strengths, such as elastomeric materials and foams at high strain rates. The technique is based on a conventional SHPB. Instead of a surface strain gage mounted on the transmission bar, a piezoelectric force transducer was embedded in the middle of the transmission bar of a high-strength aluminum alloy to directly measure the weakly transmitted force profile from a soft specimen. In addition, a pulse-shape technique was used for increasing the rise time of the incident pulse to ensure stress equilibrium and homogeneous deformation in the low-impedance and low-strength specimen.