On the Taylor test: A continuum analysis of plastic wave propagation

Abstract

The determination of the mechanical properties of materials is the foundation of many engineering design problems. Numerous test methods have evolved as standards for the determination of these properties. Design problems which require inelastic behavior of the material are unique because the test methods must provide a detailed knowledge of the evolution of the yield behavior. High rate problems represent a special class of inelastic engineering design problems and the interpretation of test methods used to determine material’s behavior for these problems are an important research topic. The Taylor Anvil or Taylor Impact test is a test commonly employed to determine the mechanical properties of materials for this important class of engineering design problems. A continuum approach based on jump discontinuities at the plastic wave front is developed which can be used as the basis for advanced engineering models of the experiment and analysis of the numerical method used to incorporate various constitutive relationships into continuum codes.