Modal Analysis of a Servo-Hydraulic High Speed Machine and its Application to Dynamic Tensile Testing at an Intermediate Strain Rate

This paper describes the experimental procedure to identify the predominant frequencies of the high speed testing machine by conducting modal analysis. The effects due to the predominant frequencies of the system and loading rate on the magnitude of system ringing and the flow stress were analyzed by using a single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) spring-mass-damper model. The system was then used to study the dynamic tensile behavior of two engineering materials, i.e., polyethylene (PE) fabric-cement composite and Alkaline Resistant (AR) glass fabrics at an intermediate strain rate. The stress oscillations in the response of these materials due to system ringing were addressed. The failure behavior of each material was studied by examining high speed digital camera images of specimens during the test. The validity of the dynamic tensile tests was investigated by examining the condition of dynamic stress equilibrium-a criterion used in split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests. The results show that the quantitative criterion for a valid SHPB test is also applicable to dynamic tensile tests of these materials at the intermediate strain rate.