4 research outputs found
Impact of a rigid sphere onto an elastic membrane
We study the axisymmetric impact of a rigid sphere onto an elastic membrane
theoretically and experimentally. We derive governing equations from first
principles and impose natural kinematic and geometric constraints for the
coupled motion of the sphere and the membrane during contact. The free-boundary
problem of finding the contact surface, over which forces caused by the
collision act, is solved by an iterative method. This results in a model that
produces detailed predictions of the trajectory of the sphere, the deflection
of the membrane, and the pressure distribution during contact. Our model
predictions are validated against our direct experimental measurements.
Moreover, we identify new phenomena regarding the behaviour of the coefficient
of restitution for low impact velocities, the possibility of multiple contacts
during a single rebound, and energy recovery on subsequent bounces. Insight
obtained from this model problem in contact mechanics can inform ongoing
efforts towards the development of predictive models for contact problems that
arise naturally in multiple engineering applications