A method for testing dynamic tensile strength and elastic modulus of rock materials using SHPB

An experimental procedure for testing dynamic tensile strength and elastic modulus of rock materials at high strain rate loading is presented in this paper. In our test the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used to diametrally impact the Brazilian disc (BD) and flattened Brazilian disc (FBD) specimens of marble. A tensile strain rate of about 45 1/s was achieved at the center of the specimen. In order to improve the accuracy of the analysis, the initiation time difference between the strain waves acting on the two flat ends of the FBD specimen was treated properly. Typical failure modes corresponding to different loading conditions were observed. It was verified with a finite-element simulation that the equilibrium condition was established in the specimen before its failure. This numerical simulation validates the experimental procedure and also proves the suitability of formulation for the basic equations.