| The focus of this project is a comparative analysis of the dynamic response of strain gages and piezoelectric transducers using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) technique to assess the suitability of a piezoelectric transducer for use in dynamic force impact measurement in the 5,000 to 10,000 Newton range.; A piezoelectric transducer was placed between the two steel bars in the SHPB apparatus and the bars were instrumented with strain gages. The SHPB was impacted by a projectile fired at gas gun pressures ranging from 4 to 20 psi. The SHPB apparatus was successfully validated by examining the consistency of the wave speed and pulse duration, and strain energy at various pressures.; The responses of the strain gages were then compared against the response of the piezoelectric transducer. Experimental test results indicate that the piezoelectric transducers correlated well with the strain gages for the level of forces examined, which were forces up to 10,000 Newton. The piezoelectric transducer may therefore be considered as strong candidate for accurate measurement of dynamic forces in the 5,000 to 10,000 Newton range. |
