Particle Velocimetry and Photoelasticity Applied to the Study of Dynamic Sliding Along Frictionally-Held Bimaterial Interfaces: Techniques and Feasibility

A laser interferometry-based technique was developed to locally measure the in-plane components of particle velocity in dynamic experiments. This technique was applied in the experimental investigation of dynamic sliding along the incoherent (frictional) interface of a Homalite–steel bimaterial structure. The bimaterial specimen was subjected to uniform compressive stress and impact-induced shear loading. The evolution of the dynamic stress field was recorded by high-speed photography in conjunction with dynamic photoelasticity. The combination of the full-field technique of photoelasticity with the local technique of velocimetry was proven to be a very powerful tool in the investigation of dynamic sliding. A relatively broad loading wave with an eye-like structure emanated from the interface. The particle velocity measurements established that sliding started behind the eye-like fringe pattern. It propagated with supershear speed with respect to Homalite. A shear Mach line originating from the sliding tip is visible in the photoelastic images. A vertical particle velocity measurement revealed the existence of a wrinkle-like pulse traveling along the bimaterial interface. The wrinkle-like pulse followed the initial shear rupture tip and propagated at a specific subshear speed.