Comment on Global/Local Method for Low-Velocity Impact Problems

A revision to a previously developed method for solving the dynamic-contact problem of a rigid, smooth striker impacting an elastically supported beam is presented. The revision is such that only a local-static solution is superposed on an elementary-beam-theory solution that incorporates the dynamic effects. The local-static solution is expressed in terms of the difference between an elastic-finite-layer solution and a static-beam-theory solution. The matching of boundary conditions leads to a Volterra-integral equation of the second kind in terms of the pressure distribution and contact length as functions of time. These quantities are obtained numerically using a technique developed for the solution of non-Hertzian-contact problems. The revised method is shown to more accurately model the low velocity impact response of finite beams through a comparison of experimental results and theoretical predictions.