Wave separation in viscoelastic pressure bars using singlepoint measurements of strain and velocity

A wave separation technique that uses the single-point measurements of axial strain and axial particle velocity is investigated. The method is capable of treating wave propagation in viscoelastic pressure bars and accounts for dispersion and attenuation due to both geometric and material effects. An example application using a polycarbonate split Hopkinson pressure bar to test low-density polymeric foams is shown. Emphasis is placed on the ability of the method to correct for viscoelastic wave propagation and the necessity of this correction during practical testing. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.