Head of Laboratory: Dr. Jan Trnka

The Laboratory of Experimental Stress Analysis provides experimental data on transient phenomena associated with stress wave propagation in solids. These are typically generated by impact loadings delivered by air gun projectiles, exploding wires technique, by different types of impactors or by focused ruby laser beam. To fulfil this goal both coherent optics methods (such as double-pulse holographic interferometry, electronic speckle interferometry or laser vibrometry) and dynamic responses measured by semiconductor strain gauges or accelerometers are used. The methods and procedures developed are used, for example, in non-destructive defectoscopy, construction and the automobile and armament industries. Attention is also given to the use of these methods both in injury biomechanics and in criminal traceology, among other areas.