This study is an experimental investigation of the dynamic response of a cantilever beam due to axial impact. A series of response measurements were made for a cantilevered stainless steel beam subjected to impulses of different magnitudes.The impulses were produced by a pendulum-impact mass arrangement and their magnitudes were varied by changing the weight and release angle of the pendulum mass. For the range and character of impulses utilized in this investigation,it is concluded that magnitude of the applied impulse is the relevant parameter for the transverse response of the beam.Moreover,both maximum bending stresses in the beam and its maximum lateral displacements were found to be linearly related to the magnitude of the applied axial impulses. No dynamic instabilities,in the sense of excessive lateral displacements of the beam, was observed for the range of impulse magnitudes selected here.