An experimental method for considering dispersion and attenuation in a viscoelastic Hopkinson bar

An experimental method is developed to perform Hopkinson tests by means of viscoelastic bars by considering the wave propagation attenuation and dispersion due to the material rheological properties and the bar radial inertia (geometric effect). A propagation coefficient, representative of the wave dispersion and attenuation, is evaluated experimentally. Thus, the Pochhammer and Chree frequency equation is not necessary. Any bar cross-section shapes can be employed, and the knowledge of the bar mechanical properties is useless. The propagation coefficients for two PMMA bars with different diameters and for an elastic aluminum alloy bar are evaluated. These coefficients are used to determine the normal forces at the free end of a bar and at the ends of two bars held in contact. As an application, the mechanical impedance of an accelerometer is evaluated. A part of this work has been performed in the Laboratoire Matériaux Endommagement Fiabilité of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers de Bordeaux.