EVALUATION OF NUMERICAL METHODS FOR SIMULATION OF WEAK IMPACT

An elastic cantilever beam subjected to weak impact is investigated with focus on its ability to absorb the impact energy. It was found that the location of impact along the beam has a significant influence on the kinetic energy absorbed. It was established in both, using an experimental setup and numerical computations. A reduced degrees of freedom analytical model of this simple continuous system is analyzed in order to explain its quite complicated behavior. The same impact spot, at which the maximum impact energy was absorbed, was predicted by the analytical model. At this location 90% of the kinetic energy is absorbed in the form of elastic beam vibrations. The results of this demonstration may be used for designing an elastic kinetic energy absorbing system.