A study on the dynamic structural behavior of Olympic sabres

Sabres used in Olympic fencing are subject to severe elastic deformations during matches and training sessions. Even though strict rules for their manufacturing are prescribed by the international fencing federation, with requirements in terms of geometrical constraints and material (steel) properties, nonetheless frequent unexpected ruptures are observed. These may cause injuries to the fencers, and involve the replacement of the blade. In this study an experimental-numerical approach is adopted to investigate the underlying failure mechanisms. To this purpose, several attacks, “bouts” in fencing, were live filmed during actual practice with digital cameras and a trajectory tracking analysis was performed on the most critical of them, taking advantage of markers fixed on the blades at different positions. The post-processed data were subsequently used as boundary conditions of a 3D finite element model of the blade. Running a non-linear transient analysis, global and local quantities such as maximum stored elastic energy, stress and strain states, strain rates and possible permanent plastic strains were evaluated. A validation of the FE model with experiments was also carried out. From the critical analysis of experimental and numerical results it was possible to speculate about the influence of materials and dynamic related effects on the structural behavior of the blade. Eventually, hypotheses on fracture mechanisms were formulated.