Dispersion Investigation in the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar

Abstract

Dispersion of an elastic wave propagating in a 76.2-mm-diameter (3 in.) Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar system was investigated with two consecutive pulses recorded in the transmitter bar. Assuming that the dispersive high frequency oscillatory components riding on the top of the main pulse originate from the first mode vibration, the dispersion was corrected by using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Fourier series expansion numerical schemes. The good agreement validates the assumption that only the first mode was significant. The dispersion correction technique was employed in a test of a concrete specimen having the same diameter as that of the SHPB. Better agreement of the two specimen-bar interface stresses versus time and fewer oscillations in the stress-strain curve demonstrated advantages of the application of dispersion corrections.