Dynamic response of brittle materials from penetration and split Hopkinson pressure bar experiments

This research began with a study on the penetration of limestone targets with ogive-nose rod projectiles. Three sets of experiments were conducted with geometrically similar, steel rod projectiles that had length-to-diameter ratios of 10 and 7.1, 12.7, and 25.4-mm-diameters. Results from these penetration experiments and previously developed penetration models suggested that the limestone target exhibited strain-rate sensitivity. In order to investigate this hypothesis, an experimental/analytical program to study the dynamic material response of limestone was begun.; As a first step, it was decided to focus on the dynamic material responses of brittle materials, such as limestone, under a state of one-dimensional stress. A split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) facility was built at the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station. Early in the experimental program it became clear that new modifications had to be made to the traditional SHPB apparatus and experimental techniques. In addition, it was decided to model the responses of the SHPB apparatus and the sample under test in order to guide the experimental designs and minimize the experimental trials.; The conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus was 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. An analytical model and data show that 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. The pulse shaping model predictions are in good agreement with measurements.; Analytic models predict that a ramp stress pulse in the incident bar is required for limestone samples. Data from experiments with limestone samples show that the samples are in dynamic stress equilibrium and have constant strain rates over most of the test durations. In addition, the ramp pulse durations can be controlled such that samples are unloaded just prior to failure. Thus, intact samples that experience strains beyond the elastic region and post-peak stresses can be retrieved for microstructural evaluations. To show the versitility of this work, experiments and model results are also presented for a machineable glass ceramic.; In summary, this thesis presents analytical models and experimental techniques that provide procedures to obtain dynamic, compressive stress-strain data for brittle materials. Data for limestone and a glass ceramic are presented to demonstrate these procedures.