Accurate characterizations of rock strengths under higher loading rates are crucial in many rock engineering applications. The split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system has been used to quantify the dynamic compressive strength of rocks using the short cylindrical specimen and the dynamic tensile strength of rocks using the Brazilian disc (BD) specimen. However, SHPB is a standard tool that is suitable for metal testing; there are some fundamental issues that need to be carefully visited in applying SHPB to rock dynamic tests. This paper addresses several such critical issues, including the choice of slenderness ratio of the compressive specimen, the effect of friction between the sample and bars on the measured results of compressive strength, the necessity of dynamic force balance on the dynamic BD test, and the validity of using the standard BD equation in the data reduction. We show that with proper experimental designs that address these issues, the dynamic compressive strength and dynamic tensile strength of rocks measured using SHPB are valid and reliable.

Some Fundamental Issues in Dynamic Compression and Tension Tests of Rocks Using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar

Dynamic properties of rocks are important in a variety of rock mechanics and rock engineering problems. Due to the transient nature of the loading, dynamic tests of rock materials are very different from and much more challenging than their static counterparts. Dynamic tests are usually conducted using the split Hopkinson bar or Kolsky bar systems, which include both split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) and split Hopkinson tension bar (SHTB) systems. Significant progress has been made on the quantification of various rock dynamic properties, owing to the advances in the experimental techniques of SHPB system. This review aims to fully describe and critically assess the detailed procedures and principles of techniques for dynamic rock tests using split Hopkinson bars. The history and principles of SHPB are outlined, followed by the key loading techniques that are useful for dynamic rock tests with SHPB (i.e. pulse shaping, momentum-trap and multi-axial loading techniques). Various measurement techniques for rock tests in SHPB (i.e. X-ray micro computed tomography (CT), laser gap gauge (LGG), digital image correlation (DIC), Moire method, caustics method, photoelastic coating method, dynamic infrared thermography) are then discussed. As the main objective of the review, various dynamic measurement techniques for rocks using SHPB are described, including dynamic rock strength measurements (i.e. dynamic compression, tension, bending and shear tests), dynamic fracture measurements (i.e. dynamic imitation and propagation fracture toughness, dynamic fracture energy and fracture velocity), and dynamic techniques for studying the influences of temperature and pore water.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/236168.pdf

J.Z. Malinowski

Papers

A unified analytic and numerical approach to specimen behaviour in the Split-Hopkinson pressure bar