NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS FOR DYNAMIC STRESS-CONCENTRATION IN A RECTANGULAR BLOCK DUE TO IMPACT

This paper presents a numerical analysis for three-dimensional stress waves in an elastic rectangular block subjected to compression pulses at its end surface. The numerical technique is based on the method of finite differences along bi-characteristics. By obtaining the numerica l results for various loading conditions and Poisson's ratios of the b lock, the effect on the tensile stress concentration in the block. is demonstrated clearly. It is shown that the generation of the peculiar fracture patterns for a brittle rectangular block, which were presente d by Kolsky and Shearman can be explained well by the distribution of maximum tensile stress arising in the block. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.