Making Shear Simple – Validation of the Shear Compression Specimen 0 (SCS0) for Shear Testing

Objective Validate and assess the limitations of the Shear Compression 0 Specimen (SCS0) as a simple shear specimen for quasi-static and dynamic large strain loading conditions. Propose a simple data reduction procedure, using a simple, back of the envelope method, as a first approximation for the strain, as opposed to cumbersome numerical simulations and avoid the use of ad-hoc data reduction factors. Methods Static and dynamic finite elements simulations were performed in which the large deformation options was turned on and off. Assessment of the Lode parameter in each case and evaluation of the accuracy of the specimen’s strains and stresses as determined through simple data reduction and full numerical simulations. Results The SCS0 was shown to undergo simple shear, both statically and dynamically, as evidenced from the very low values of the Lode parameter. The calculated stress is in excellent agreement with the measured one, determined using simple strength of materials definitions. When assuming the corresponding kinematics, it is observed that the calculated and the measured strain diverge to an extent of about 25%. This discrepancy is shown to result from the assumption of large geometrical deformations in the numerical model as opposed to the simple analytical kinematics. Conclusion The conclusion is that the SCS0 is now fully validated, and the experimentalist will decide which strain approximation is suitable, between analytical and numerical.