An Instrumented Drop Weight Machine for Low Velocity Impact Testing

In this paper the design and development of an instrumented drop-weight machine for low velocity impact testing is presented; monitoring impact force history allows us to identify the different stages of damage progression and to correlate energy loss with damage extension. Results of tests on specimens of different materials and layups are presented and some data interpretation problems related to the use of various force transducers are discussed in order to evaluate the performance of the testing apparatus and its effectiveness in detecting onset and propagation of damage.