Abstract
Absorbed energy is readily determined by integrating the load versus load-line displacement function. However, in dynamic testing (strain rate approximately 10/s), load-time data are more conveniently obtained. Conversion of load-time data to the energy absorbed by a test specimen during an instrumented impact test requires that the energy absorbed by the test machine be deleted from the total energy represented by the area under the load-time curve. A technique is described whereby previously reported compliance corrections have been experimentally verified. A test specimen is allowed to deflect to an accurately known value. Integration of the quasi-load-deflection curve yields the energy absorbed by the specimen. This value is shown to compare favorably with that obtained from the compliance-corrected load-time curve.
