High Speed Experimental Mechanics

Dr. P. Venkitanarayanan, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Our research is focused on understanding the response and failure of materials subject to extreme loading conditions. Particularly, emphasis is placed on investigating the constitutive response, strength and damage tolerance of different type of materials when subjected to high strain rates (in excess of 1000/s). To this extent, the material of interest is loaded using different techniques such as spli-Hopkinson pressure bar, low velocity projectile impact and conventional UTM etc. The material response is quantified using different diagnostic techniques which include photoelasticity, image correlation and ultra-high speed imaging and interferometry. The type of materials investigated range from adhesives to polymers, metallic foams, ceramics, nano-composites and functionally graded and layered plates.

 Keywords : Image correlation, rate effects, graded materials, dynamic fracture