Impact on Beams

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with transverse impact on beams the mass of which is of importance. Experimental results are presented for comparison with theory. Impacts which appear single to the eye are shown to consist in reality of several blows in quick succession. Section 1 of the paper traces the historical development of this subject by discussing the investigations of Young, Hodgkinson, Cox, Saint Venant, and Timoshenko. Section 2 treats a simplified system in which a concentrated mass strikes a smaller concentrated mass having a “soft” spring restraint. For elastic impact, theory predicts for the struck mass a path composed of sinusoidal elements separated by instantaneous blows. For inelastic impact it predicts a joint harmonic motion. Records of the paths of both masses were obtained experimentally. Section 3 of the paper uses Timoshenko’s method of combining local deformation of the contact region with lateral vibration of the beam. An experimental investigation of maximum contact pressure and of blow duration gives what is believed to be the first confirmation of this theory. Section 4 describes an experimental determination of flexural stresses in elastic and inelastic impact on a 3-in. I-beam by the use of a Westinghouse magnetic strain gage. The indication is that stresses may be higher than those calculated by the usual approximations.