heal.abstract |
The Kolsky bar apparatus (Split Hopkinson Bar) is the most widespread solution for testing
materials, under conditions of heavy mechanical stress. Although the theory behind its
functionality was firstly expressed at the beginning of the 20th century (Bertram Hopkinson,
1913) and formulated to its final form at the end of 1940s (Kolsky, 1949), meaningful
progress towards its practical use was achieved for the first time during the end of 1960s,
followed by rapid progression during the remaining decades of the 20th century and to this
day. The reasons behind this progress, are the technological advancements in the field of
electronics (computer hardware and software, able to handle more demanding data
processing techniques, high precision sensors and measuring devices) but also the
discovery of new, οr the improvement of existing, materials (alloys, multi-layered structures,
plastics). For these materials, the knowledge of their behavior under conditions of heavy
mechanical stress, is an essential factor of choice for specific constructions.
A Kolsky bar apparatus consists of two long slender bars that sandwich a short cylindrical
specimen between them. By striking the end of a bar (Incident Bar), a compressive stress
wave is generated, that immediately begins to traverse towards the specimen. Upon arrival
at the specimen, the wave partially reflects towards the impact end. The remainder of the
wave transmits through the specimen and into the 2nd bar (Transmission Bar), causing
irreversible plastic deformation in the specimen. The reflected wave is proportional to the
specimen’s strain rate and the transmitted wave is proportional to the specimen’s
mechanical stress. By monitoring the strains in the two bars, specimen stress-strain
properties can be calculated.
On this thesis, the design of a Kolsky Bar apparatus is approached. First, various
methodologies and factors affecting the design are discussed. A step by step design model
is proposed later, with a number of practical algorithms for the various design stages. This
approach, is built upon simulations and theoretical calculations (Matlab/Simulink, C++). At
the next stage, the model is used for the design of a Kolsky bar apparatus, for the
calculation of Aluminum specimens’ stress-strain properties. Simulation results are
presented and compared with those of actual tests, with real devices. After this, a solid
modeling computer-aided design (CAD, Solidworks) of the device is created.
The thesis concludes with a summarizing discussion of the results and proposals for
further research, on how this method can be generalized and achieve better results. |
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