Development of a novel impact test system based on electromagnetic loading technology

The purpose of the present paper is to propose a novel approach of impact test system based on electromagnetic loading (EML) technology, which could provide more efficient and flexible experiment method with large range of impact velocity. The numerical simulations with multi-physics field coupling models are conducted to investigate the characteristics of the designed impact test system. The influence of discharge parameters including voltages and capacitances on the current, Lorentz force (electromagnetic force) and dynamic performance of the indenter in the magnetic field are studied. The empirical formulae for predicting the impact velocity, Lorentz force, initial kinetic energy and impulse are developed by regressing the numerical results, which could be used to design impact loading cases. The designed electromagnetic loading system was adopted to conduct the impact tests of polyurethane block as buffer under different discharge energy, and the corresponding experimental results are used to verify the numerical modelling technology. The impact load with various peak various and duration to tested structure could be designed by adjusting the stiffness of buffer and discharge parameters. The EML system could provide conveniently various kinematic energies by adjusting capacitance and discharge voltage, in which the maximum impact velocity is 102 m/s at present study.