Dynamic Stress From Transverse Impact On Flexural Beams

Accurate prediction of stress from impact would be very useful to an engineer in the design and analysis phases of a project. Currently one must resort to finite element analysis and experimentation, both of which have their negatives. Classical hand analysis methods such as the work-energy method overestimate the stress for a weight dropped onto the tip of a cantilevered beam. The goal of this project was to formulate analytical equations that were straightforward and easy to implement that would more accurately predict the dynamic stress in this scenario. Using the already derived equations from the work-energy method, a modification factor was sought that would allow for a more useful answer. The approach was to collect experimental data from a weight being dropped onto a cantilevered beam. Different geometries were used as were multiple drop heights. This data was then used to formulate a relationship between drop height and stress. These new equations were then used to modify the original impact equations. The new equations successfully accounted for the experimental data and are believed to be useful for design purposes. However, the equations were not general and seemed applicable only to the specific setup for which they were formulated.