Journal Published Online: 01 March 1993
Volume 15, Issue 1

Instrumented Impact Testing at High Velocities

CODEN: JCTRER

Abstract

Impact loading of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) aicraft parts is a major concern. Birds or hailstones striking an aircraft generally have a low mass and a high velocity, whereas typically instrumented impact experiments are performed with a high mass and a low velocity. Our aim has been to build an instrumented impact facility with a low-mass projectile capable of simulating these impact events, since there is evidence that a low-velocity impact will not always result in the same amount or even type of damage as a high-velocity impact.

This paper provides a detailed description of the instrumented low-mass impact facility at The University of British Columbia (UBC). A gas gun is used to accelerate the instrumented projectile to impact velocities as high as 50 m/s, corresponding to an energy level of 350 J. The contact force during the impact event is measured by an incorporated load cell. The necessary mathematical operations to determine the real load-displacement curves are outlined, and the results of some impact events at different velocities are shown.

Author Information

Delfosse, D
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Pageau, G
Defense Research Establishment Valcartier, Armament Division, Courcelette, Quebec, Canada
Bennett, R
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Poursartip, A
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: CTR10352J
ISSN: 0884-6804
DOI: 10.1520/CTR10352J