Experimental investigation of inertia effects in one-dimensional metal ring systems subjected to end impact-II. Free-ended systems

Experiments are described in which a variety of one-dimensional ring systems with free distal ends were subjected to axial impact by a rigid projectile. The elastic wave which is reflected from the free end leads to unloading and consequently to the arrest of the structural shock wave which causes the principal deformation in the system. An elastic-plastic structural shock model is used to predict the deformation distribution and change in velocity of the striker for those cases in which the rings are constrained to collapse in essentially a simple four hinge mechanism. There is good agreement between the predictions of the model and the observations from the experiments.