Compact Tension specimens were loaded at 1 and 7 m/s with two different accelerations imposed. Experimental photoelastic patterns recorded by a high speed camera were compared with those simulated by dynamic elastic Finite Element (FE) analysis. The positive results of this comparison validated the FE analysis. It is demonstrated that when the initial acceleration of the specimen is low (using a damper in the loading device), static analysis can be applied for both testing speeds used. In high accelerations tests (without damper used), a transient dynamic stress state in the specimens is found, therefore a dynamic analysis should be used. Furthermore, in high acceleration tests a transient mixed mode of loading at the crack tip occurs.
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