Response of materials under-dynamic loading

The dynamic response of materials is important to the performance and failu re resistance of many engineered systems. Experimental methods are now avai lable to measure this response over a wide range of strain rates and temper atures. Application of these methods to the investigation of the dynamic re sponse of metals, glasses and ceramics has led to important advances in und erstanding, while bringing into focus important issues that remain to be re solved. In this paper, a number of these issues are discussed and potential ly fruitful research directions are suggested. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.