INFLUENCE OF NOTCH ON THE RESPONSE OF MILD STEEL BEAMS SUBJECTED TO LOW VELOCITY IMPACT: An understanding of the deformation and failure of structural members under impact loads is essential in the design of complex structures. From the few studies reported in literature it is clear that the deformation characteristics and failure of beams without notches are markedly different from those beams with notches subjected to impact loads. In the present work, deformation and failure of 96 clamped, 24 rotationally restrained propped cantilever and 74 cantilever mild-steel beam specimens with and without notches subjected to low velocity impact were investigated in the drop hammer experimental set-up. Three sets of mild steel beams were used in experiments: (i) Beams without notch (ii) beams with 3.0 mm wide Π shaped notch and (iii) beams with 0.35 mm wide Π shaped notch. The response of the beam was studied in terms of maximum permanent deflection and strain history during contact period. High speed digital camera was used to capture the impact phenomena of beam specimens. The response of the clamped beams was obtained, by varying the, notch depth, notch width and impact location. The response of the cantilever beams to tip impact was obtained, by varying the notch alignment (i.e. notch, facing upward and downward), apart from varying notch width and depth.