Post-failure response of impulsively loaded clamped beams

This paper analyses the response of a clamped rigid, perfectly plastic beam subjected to an impulsive velocity loading throughout the span. A critical velocity is determined using a damage mechanics model, beyond which a beam fails at the supports. Attention is focused on the dynamics of the beam after failure. A transient phase of deformation develops after failure and leads to a change of the beam geometry after failure. Other parameters such as the residual kinetic energy and rigid body velocity are also determined. A comparison is made between the clamped case here studied and the simply supported one described elsewhere by the authors.