Feasibility of digital image correlation for non-destructive evaluation

Digital image correlation (DIC) is widely used as a tool to measure displacements and surface strains. The generation of speckle pattern in DIC technique has some limitations. In addition to spray paint, other techniques including laser speckle have also been proposed to generate speckle patterns. In previous studies, the use of DIC as a non-destructive technique has been limited to detect the surface cracks. In the current study, the feasibility of DIC for detection of subsurface defects was investigated. A laser beam was utilized to generate the DIC speckle pattern. The tensile load was applied to a polypropylene specimen containing an artificial subsurface defect. The DIC images were recorded and analyzed before and after loading the specimen. The results of surface displacement in the direction of tension and perpendicular to tension revealed the defect. To study further, the surface strains of the specimen were determined. In the obtained results, the strain concentration indicated the defect in the specimen. The approximate size and shape of the artificial defect are recognizable in the measured strain distribution.