A novel method for pulse shaping of Split Hopkinson tensile bar signals

Split Hopkinson bar (SHB) techniques are commonly used to experimentally characterise materials at high strain-rates. One important aspect of high-strain rate characterisation using SHBs is the necessity to tailor the input pulse to the needs of the material to be tested. Here, a new method to shape the input pulse, specifically developed for tensile SHBs (SHTB), is presented. The new method overcomes several challenges of existing designs, allows for a controlled adjustment of the pulse rising time, and significantly reduces wave dispersion effects.