| The behavior of materials at high strain rates is different from that under quasi-static loading. Among the experimental techniques for dynamic behavior of materials, Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) is the most common technique for dynamic stress-strain characterizations due to its capability of producing a large range of nearly uniform strain rates. Although many SHPBs have been constructed, there is no step-by-step guidelines for SHPB construction, neither is there a standard design. It is the primary goal of this research to construct an SHPB for characterizations of materials, especially thick laminated composites. Thick laminated composites have different material properties from thin counterparts because the thermal cycle for curing polymer matrix is not necessarily uniform through the thickness of thick laminated composites. Consequently, when subjected to dynamic loading, thick laminated composites behave differently from thin counterparts. Experimental results based on SHPB have verified the difference of the properties close to the surface and those close to the midplane of laminated composites. In addition, it has been found from this research that stress-strain curves are strongly affected by the specimen dimensions. |
