Design and Operating Characteristics of a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar Apparatus

A split Hopkinson bar apparatus capable of conducting compressive strain rate tests at rates ranging from 50 to 10 to the 4th power in.in.sec has been designed and assembled. In principle, the apparatus is similar to that first used by Kolsky in 1949. The design of the apparatus is presented in two parts the stress-generating system, and the stree-determination system. Detailed drawings of major components of the stress-generating system are included. The technique used to analyze test results is presented. A listing of a computer code which incorporates this technique is also included. The code provides a rapid method for computing the one-dimensional response of the sample of interest. Results for 6061-T6 and 1100-0 aluminum, which are in good agreement with those obtained by other investigators, are given as a check case for the system designed.