Abstract
The dynamic photoelastic technique has been utilized to investigate the possibility of relieving the large local singular stresses which are induce in the corner of a right angled indenter. The indenter compresses a semi-infinite body dynamically with an impact load applied on the top of the indenter. The effect of geometric changes to the indenter in terms of the diameter (d) and the location (ℓ) of the notch on the relieving of the dynamic contact stresses are investigated. A multi-spark-high speed camera with twelve sparks was used to take dynamic photographs. The contact singular stresses were found to be released by introducing the relief notch along the indenter. The optimal location and geometry of the relief notch need further experimental investigation.