A dynamic photoelastic study of stress-wave propagation through an inclusion - A dynamic photoelastic study of stress-wave propagation through an inclusion showing the effects of the reflections and refractions at the interface

A photoelastic study of the elastodynamic-stress fields around a circular, elastic inclusion (Solithane 113) embedded in an elastic plate (Hysol 4485) is presented. The edge of the plate was loaded by an explosive charge, which produced a plane, compressional stress wave of triangular shape. Isochromatic-fringe patterns were obtained, which give the maximum shear stresses, both inside the inclusion and in the surrounding medium. The principal stresses on the axis of symmetry were determined through the use of the oblique-incidence method. It was found that small tensile stresses are generated at the interface on the shadow side of the inclusion. The focusing effect inside the inclusion predicted by ray theory was not observed. Finally, the shape of the wavefront as the wave passes the inclusion was determined.