Transverse impact of free–free square aluminum beams: An experimental–numerical investigation

A combined experimental–numerical analysis was performed to model transverse impact of free–free square aluminum beams loaded at different locations along their length. The applied impact load was obtained from tests carried out on a single Hopkinson pressure bar. The 3D elastic–plastic numerical simulations show that the plastic deformation, adjacent to the impact location, is due to combined dominant bending and stretching modes. Most of the plastic deformation is confined to the impact zone but some partial additional plastic hinges are observed to develop. The plastic strain magnitude and distribution near the impact zone are similar for all tested impact locations, but higher for the more symmetrical impacts. The conversion of impact energy into kinetic, elastic strain energy and plastic dissipation work is characterized for various impact locations along the beam. It is observed that symmetrical impact results in higher plastic dissipation and lower kinetic energy as opposed to unsymmetrical impact. Between 52% and 76% of the applied energy is converted into plastic dissipation energy.