  We consider the common problem setting of an elastic sphere impacting on a
flexible beam. In contrast to previous studies, we analyze the modal energy
distribution induced by the impact, having in mind the particular application
of impact vibration absorbers. Also, the beam is analyzed in the
clamped-clamped configuration, in addition to the free-free configuration
usually considered. We demonstrate that the designed test rig permits to obtain
well-repeatable measurements. The measurements are confronted with predictions
obtained using two different approaches, state-of-the-art Finite Element
Analysis and a recently developed computational approach involving a
reduced-order model. The innovative aspect of the latter approach is to achieve
a massless contact boundary using component mode synthesis, which reduces the
mathematical model order and numerical oscillations. We show that the novel
computational approach reduces the numerical effort by 3-4 orders of magnitude
compared to state-of-the-art Finite Element Analysis, without compromising the
excellent agreement with the measurements.
