Mechanical aspects of the Charpy impact test

A comparative experimental and FEM study has been carried out, in order to investigate dynamic and constraint aspects of the Charpy test. Standard V-n otch Charpy specimens were tested under dynamic and static loading conditio ns. 2-D plane strain and 3-D models were employed in numerical analysis. In order to incorporate strain-rate effects, an elastic-viscoplastic constitu tive equation has been applied, based on actual test data obtained for a lo w-alloy structural steel. Fully dynamic analysis clearly indicated inertial effects. Modal analysis enabled the confirmation of the origin of the osci llations on the load-displacement curve as beam vibration of the specimen r esulting from interaction with the elastic striker. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce S.A. All rights reserved.