Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The ability to accurately measure velocities and accelerations in high speed impact experiments is critical to gain knowledge of the high strain rate properties of materials, the crash response of automotive structures and the impact behaviour of materials used for personal protection. Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) is a recently developed technique that enables affordable, accurate and versatile measurement of the velocity of specimens moving at speeds in excess of 1 km/s. The equipment requested in this application is a PDV-based velocimetry system with a high speed data acquisition system and mechanical fixtures that will allow the development of an instrumented expanding ring apparatus. This apparatus will be used to characterize the high strain rate behaviour of materials at rates in excess of 10,000 strain per second. The equipment will also be used to enhance the capability of several other important impact experiments and high rate material testing devices currently in use at the University of Waterloo. This capability will enable new knowledge to be developed concerning the rate sensitivity and anisotropy of materials at high strain rates and better understanding of the impact response of personal protective armor systems and aircraft gas turbine engine components subject to high velocity foreign object damage.