Propagation of Plastic Strain Pulses in Cylindrical Lead Bars

Abstract

The behavior of an elastic‐plastic deformation pulse, produced in a cylindrical lead bar by reflection of an air shock from one end, has been studied experimentally by measuring the time variation of stress, as well as strain, at several locations along the length of the bar. To determine whether reasonable predictions of the observed time‐dependent behavior could be made within the uniaxial stress approximation from a knowledge only of the properties of the material, the geometry of the specimens, and the known loading conditions, computer solutions were generated using equations of various degrees of complexity. It was found that a set of equations which takes into account work‐hardening of the material, longitudinal inertia, an approximate correction for lateral inertia, and a possible rapid relaxation of the material was successful in predicting all the observed features of the pulse.