  In this paper we present thorough experimental observation of the process of
shock wave transformation into a bulk strain solitary wave in a nonlinearly
elastic solid bar made of polystyrene. A theoretical model based on the
describing propagation of a plane elastic wave in a bar is developed with
account made for material nonlinearity and viscosity. Numerical modeling
performed on the base of the developed model with and without regard to
viscosity demonstrated formation of a long stable disturbance at proper account
made for viscoelastic properties of the bar material.
