Mechanical behaviour at high strain rate, e.g. explosive charges, high velocity impact or blast, differs from that observed at quasi-static strain rate. At high strain rates, the material deforms at rates between 10 s 3 -1 to 106 s-1. The split Hopkinson bar is one of the most common experimental methods used to obtain material properties at high strain rates. In this memorandum, the LS-DYNA hydrocode was used to model the mechanical behaviour of Aluminum 6061-T6. A brief review of the theory of the split Hopkinson pressure bar and an analysis of mesh sensitivity are included. To validate the numerical results, the dimensions of the bars and the striker used are the same as those used in experimental tests. The bars and the striker are cylindrical and made of Maraging steel. The bars and the striker have lengths of 800 and 200 mm, respectively, with the same diameter of 14.5 mm. Because of the axisymmetry nature of the problem, only half of the model was used for the simulation. Different striker velocities were simulated. The results show the existence of a linear relationship between the striker velocity and the compressive wave travelling through the incident bar.
