An experimental method to measure dynamic stress–strain relationship of materials at high strain rates

•Radial velocities of specimens in SHPB are captured by photonic Doppler velocimetry system.•Dynamic stress–strain relationships are obtained by measuring radial velocities and end-surface stresses.•The experimental is useful for measuring dynamic stress-strain relationships for large size specimens.

In this paper, an experimental method for measuring dynamic behavior of materials at high strain rates is developed. The strain and stress of a specimen are obtained using a high-precision photonic Doppler velocimetry system and a sensitive polyvinylidene fluoride thin-film sensor respectively. Based on the assumptions of one-dimensional stress state and negligible volume change at plastic deformation stage, the dynamic stress–strain relationship of materials can be determined. Using Al-2024T351 alloy and copper as model materials, the method demonstrates its effectiveness in measuring dynamic behavior of materials at high strain rates.