Strain rate change tests with the Split Hopkinson Bar method

In this paper, methods to produce rapid strain rate changes for strain rate sensitivity measurements in Split Hopkinson Bar arrangements are presented and discussed. Two different cases are considered: a strain rate change test within the high strain rate region in compression, and a tension test incorporating a large strain rate jump directly from the low strain rate region to high strain rates. The former method is based on the loading wave amplitude manipulation, while the latter method is based on the incorporation of a low strain rate loading device into a Tensile Split Hopkinson Bar apparatus.