Stress wave propagation in clearance joints based on characteristics method

In this paper, a stress wave model is established to describe the three states (separate, contact and impact) of clearance joints. Based on this stress wave model, the propagation characteristics of stress wave generated in clearance joints is revealed. First, the stress wave model of clearance joints is established based on the viscoelastic theory. Then, the reflection and transmission characteristics of stress wave with different boundaries are studied, and the propagation of stress wave in viscoelastic rods is described by the characteristics method. Finally, the stress wave propagation in clearance joints with three states is analyzed to validate the proposed model and method. The results show the clearance sizes, initial axial speeds and material parameters have important influences on the stress wave propagation, and the new stress waves will generate when the clearance joint in contact and impact states, and there exist some high stress region near contact area of clearance joints when the incident waves are superposed with reflection waves, which may speed up the damage of joints.