Publications

We study the axisymmetric impact of a rigidsphere onto an elastic membrane theoretically andexperimentally. We derive governing equations fromfirst principles and impose natural kinematic andgeometric constraints for the coupled motion ofthe sphere and the membrane during contact.The free-boundary problem of finding the contactsurface, over which forces caused by the collisionact, is solved by an iterative method. This resultsin a model that produces detailed predictions ofthe trajectory of the sphere, the deflection of themembrane, and the pressure distribution duringcontact. Our model predictions are validated againstour direct experimental measurements. Moreover, weidentify new phenomena regarding the behaviourof the coefficient of restitution for low impactvelocities, the possibility of multiple contacts duringa single rebound, and energy recovery on subsequentbounces. Insight obtained from this model problem incontact mechanics can inform ongoing efforts towards the development of predictive models for contact problems that arise naturally in multiple engineering applications.