Impact testing of polymeric foam using Hopkinson bars and digital image analysis

Determination of Strain Field on the Superior Surface of Excised Larynx Vocal Folds Using DIC

ABSTRACTSurface deformation study of a polymer film during plastic film blowing (PFB) extrusion process though is considered essential, is difficult to execute as the process is fast and continuous. Digital image correlation (DIC) is an optical technique that is non-destructive, highly accurate and designed to measure deformations from micro to macro scale. DIC can be proposed as a reliable tool to understand the relationship of polymer structure-processing-properties. In this literature, digital image correlation, its basic principle of operation and reliability guided DIC for continuous large deformation are comprehensively explored. Versatility of DIC, and the conditions that affect the measurement algorithm as well as preceding use of DIC in polymer processes are reviewed. The implementation and potential use of DIC in PFB are described.This review was submitted as part of the 2019 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged.

Background The hole-drilling method, widely used to evaluate near-surface residual stresses, typically relies on strain gauge rosettes to measure surface deformations resulting from stress relaxation. However, this approach has several limitations, including a small number of discrete measurement points, the need for careful surface preparation, and sensitivity to misalignment between the rosette and the drilled hole. Objective To address these issues, the use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC), a full-field optical measurement technique, was investigated as a replacement for the strain gauge rosette within the hole-drilling method. Methods DIC was employed to measure strain and displacement fields around drilled holes in steel specimens subjected to various load levels, aiming to identify the minimum stress that could be accurately resolved. Several adjustments were made to both the hardware configuration and data processing procedures within the DIC setup to improve the accuracy of measured deformation. Results Accurate stress evaluation was achieved even at low stress levels, on the order of a few MPa, despite the relatively small strain magnitudes compared to the noise level. Conclusions The results obtained demonstrate that integrating DIC with the hole-drilling method offers a promising and effective alternative to traditional strain gauge-based residual stress measurement.

Measuring small-magnitude strain fields using a digital image correlation (DIC) technique is challenging, due to the noise-signal ratio in strain maps. Here, we determined the level of accuracy achievable in measuring small-magnitude (<0.1%) homogeneous strain fields. We investigated different sets of parameters for image processing and imaging pre-selection, based on single-image noise level. The trueness of DIC was assessed by comparison of Young’s modulus (E) and Poisson’s ratio (ν) with values obtained from strain gauge measurements. Repeatability was improved, on average, by 20–25% with experimentally-determined optimal parameters and image pre-selection. Despite this, the intra- and inter-specimen repeatability of strain gauge measurements was 5 and 2.5 times better than DIC, respectively. Moreover, although trueness was also improved, on average, by 30–45%, DIC consistently overestimated the two material parameters by 1.8% and 3.2% for E and ν, respectively. DIC is a suitable option to measure small-magnitude homogeneous strain fields, bearing in mind the limitations in achievable accuracy.

Optical methods are becoming commonplace in investigations of the physical and mechanical behavior of biological tissues. Digital image correlation (DIC) is a versatile optical method that shows tremendous promise for applications involving biological tissues and biomaterials. We present the fundamentals of DIC with an emphasis on the application to biological materials. An approach for surface preparation is described that facilitates its application to hydrated substrates. Three examples are presented that highlight the use of DIC for biomedical research. The first example describes the use of DIC to study the mechanical behavior of arterial tissues up to 40% elongation. The second example describes an evaluation of the mechanical properties of bovine hoof horn in the dehydrated and fully hydrated states. Uniaxial tension experiments are performed to determine the elastic modulus (E) and Poisson's ratio (nu) of both the arterial and dermal tissues. Spatial variations in the mechanical properties are evident from the full-field characterization of both tissues. Finally, an application of DIC to study the evolution of loosening in cemented total hip replacements is described. The noncontact analysis enables measurement of the relative displacement between the bone/bone cement and bone cement/prosthesis interfaces. Based on the elementary optical arrangement, the simple surface preparation, and the ability to acquire displacement/strain measurements over a large range of deformation, DIC should serve as a valuable tool for biomedical research. Further developments will enable the use of DIC for in vivo applications.

Digital image correlation (DIC) measurements are affected by several sources of uncertainty. Motion blur is one of the most relevant problems in dynamic DIC applications. This work deals with the problem of compensating motion blur effects on DIC. Firstly, a robust motion blur estimation technique based on cepstral analysis is presented and validated. Secondly, the problem of image restoration has been tackled. Two image deconvolution techniques are presented: one based on cepstrum deconvolution and the other based on Wiener filter. The latter has shown better robustness in presence of noise. Each presented technique has been tested with synthetic DIC experiments. Results demonstrate that both the compensation algorithms are able to improve the accuracy of DIC measurement in presence of motion blur.

Evaluation of crack tip stress and strain fields under nonproportional loading in a viscoelastic material

Digital Image Correlation became one of the dominant optical full-field techniques used in experimental mechanics. It does not require sophisticated equipment to evaluate the full displacement vector field of the specimen under test with great accuracy. In this paper, we would like to put the reader's attention to the DIC technique as a solution that may identify the genuine character of the load applied to the object under test. Our experience with testing wind turbine blades using DIC proves that possibility. Full Text: PDF References E.M.C Jones, M.A. Iadicola, "A good practises guide for digital image correlation" International Digital Image Correlation Society, (2018), CrossRef B. Pan, "Digital image correlation for surface deformation measurement: historical developments, recent advances and future goals", Meas. Sci. Technol. 29, 082001 (2018), CrossRef B. Pan, L.P. Yu, Q.B. Zhang, "Review of single-camera stereo-digital image correlation techniques for full-field 3D shape and deformation measurement", Sci. China Technol. Sci. 61, 2 (2018), CrossRef S. Sharma, N. Iniyan Thiruselvam, S.J. Subramanian, G.S. Kumar, "Computation of strains from stereo digital image correlation using principal component analysis", Meas. Sci. Technol. 32, 105201 (2021), CrossRef IEC 61400-5:2020 Wind energy generation systems - Part 5: Wind turbine, DirectLink IEC 61400-23:2014 Wind turbines - Part 23: Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades, DirectLink

Ti2AlC and Ti3SiC2 are representative members of MAX phase materials, which are thermodynamically stable ternary compounds. These materials are known to exhibit a unique combination of properties typical of ceramics (high elastic stiffness) and metals (high ductility). They are known to be stable at high temperatures and exhibit damping behavior characterized by hysteresis under cyclic loading. In this work, damage initiation and evolution under high strain-rates in MAX phases is studied using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) technique coupled with in-situ high speed imaging. Traditionally the constitutive response under high strain rates is deduced from the experimental data (from strain gages) using standard wave analysis techniques. Since this technique does not involve a methodology to predict crack initiation in the material, the result is an overestimation of strain values. This is particularly crucial for determining material response of newer class of materials like MAX phases, which have not been widely characterized under high strain-rates. The coupling of the experimental set-up with in-situ imaging facilitates subsequent analysis of experimental results by Digital Image Correlation (DIC). The combination of strain field images with the strain histories are used to determine the point and values of strains at which damage initiated in the specimen. In this way, a direct relationship of the stress-time response with the strain field and damage evolution during the test is obtained. For strain rates of up to 4500 s−1, strain values of ~5 % were observed before macroscopic cracks develop. From analysis of images, mixed mode (combination of mode I and mode II) crack formation and propagation are observed. The results from this analysis establish the synergy and necessity of using in-situ imaging (and DIC) with the SHPB technique for characterizing nano-layered ternary ceramics.

Thin-walled metal tubes are extensively used in aircraft and automobile industries as energy absorbers during collision. When a thin wall tube is subjected to an axial compressive load, lobes are formed sequentially and each lobe undergoes a large plastic deformation without any cracking; this is referred to as progressive buckling. The focus of this paper is to study the displacement and strain fields near the buckled zone of a thin-walled square tube both experimentally and numerically. Quasi-static test was conducted on thin-walled square tubes made of aluminum alloy AA-6063 and the displacement and full-field strain was measured using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. It is noted that while one face of the tube undergoes tensile deformation, the adjacent faces undergo compressive deformation. The strain levels exceed the fracture strain obtained during a tensile test. Strain estimated from DIC was found to be in good agreement with the strain gauge measurements at far field. Further, strain estimations obtained through numerical simulations showed a reasonable agreement with DIC measurements.

The use of 2D ultrasound elastography for measuring tendon motion and strain

Nonlinear continuum finite element (CFE) analyses rely on accurate multiaxial constitutive law formulations along with reliable imperfection patterns for simulating nonlinear geometric instabilities in steel members under mechanical loading. Validations of these models usually rely on conventional measurements of macroscopic parameters (e.g., displacement and strain field). It is common to use global deformation characteristics (e.g., deduced moment versus chord rotation) for model validation purposes of steel members exhibiting inelastic cyclic local buckling. The reason is that measurements from conventional strain gauge readings are not deemed to be reliable well before the onset of local buckling. This is potentially problematic when the accurate prediction of local strain demands is essential. This paper discusses the experimental results from a steel beam instrumented with a digital image correlation (DIC) system and how optical measurements acquired from DIC can be used to benchmark a CFE model representation of this beam. It is shown that while different CFE model types simulate accurately the moment rotation relationship of the steel beam, local strain demand predictions could vary considerably between model types. The results suggest that DIC measurements can inform the selection of proper imperfection patterns to be used in CFE models for the reliable estimation of inelastic strain demands.

A direct crack sizing approach from DIC strain analyses under elasto-plastic and dynamic conditions

An analysis technique to assess the viability of digital image correlation (DIC) in tracking the full‐field strains across the surface of hanging historic tapestries is presented. Measurement uncertainty related to the use of the inherent tapestry image in tracking displacements is investigated through use of “synthetic” deformation fields. The latter are generated by mapping the details of a given tapestry image into finite element analyses. The combination of self‐weight loading, material non‐linearity, and image specific heterogeneity (related to slit stitching, damage, and patch‐restorations) serve to generate a bespoke deformation field complex enough to assess the reliability of DIC measurements. Accuracy is evaluated by comparing measured results with the original known deformations. The technique demonstrates that the optimum imaging settings and the choice of subset size for DIC analysis are strongly influenced by the tapestry image and the goal of the measurement, they are found using a compromise between conflicting objectives: minimising measurement error while maximising resolution.

&lt;p&gt;As reinforced concrete structures reach the end of their design lives, technology for improving accuracy and efficiency of inspections and structural health monitoring rapidly progresses. Concrete cracking and reinforcement strains are two relevant parameters in assessing damage and safety of these structures. The use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) systems and distributed Fibre Optic Sensors (FOS) to evaluate these parameters are two of the technologies that have been gaining momentum due to their advantages over other approaches. This study presents an experimental investigation of crack propagation of a reinforced concrete beam specimen through FOS and DIC. The FOS were positioned inside a groove carved in the rebar and in the concrete immediately outside the bar for comparison. The results showed a significant difference between both positions, with more reliable data coming from inside the bar. The addition of the DIC crack propagation images to the FOS analysis complemented the results, and good visual correlation was identified between both methods. This study is part of a broader research program, which aims at applying DIC and FOS for structural health monitoring of a real scale bridge structure.&lt;/p&gt;