An Experimental and Numerical Study of Elastic Strain Waves on the Center Line of a 6061-T6 Aluminum Bar

The elastic strain waves resulting from the impact of two 3/4-in-dia 6061-T6 aluminum bars are studied experimentally and analytically. Experimental data are obtained from strain gages on the center line and outer surface of the bar, located at various distances from the impact end of the bar. Experimental data are compared to numerical results obtained from integrating the exact equations of two-dimensional motion. In general, agreement between the numerical and experimental results is very good.