An experimental study of the impulse response of a vibro-impacting cantilever beam

The dynamics of a vibro-impacting cantilever beam experiment using an impact load cell is considered. The signal recorded from the cell produces spike train -type data. The issues related to the analysis of such data are discussed; particularly the sampling rate and threshold values. For vibro-impact motion of the beam, the duration of impacts is investigated by using a time of contact measure. The implications are discussed for vibro-impact systems mathematically modelled by using instantaneous impact assumptions (coefficient of restitution). Using the load cell to measure impact forces for the beam system is also considered. Then a delay reconstruction of the dynamics of the system by using interspike intervals is considered. It is demonstrated how this process is effected by the influence of noise and the data-acquision process using numerical simulations of the experimental data. It is shown how simple periodic motions can be identified by using a probability density approach and possible future research is highlighted.