A generalized DGS method for studying the deformation field around a crack tip

A generalized method for calculating the stress intensity factor from angular deflection of light rays is proposed. The method is based on 2D digital image correlation (DIC) to measure angular deflection of light rays, however, when a specimen is subjected to loading, deformation measurement from DIC is not perfect because of the existence of small in-plane and out-of-plane motions of the test sample surface that occurred after loading. These disadvantages will lead to errors in the measured angular deflections and fracture parameters. The influence of unavoidable in-plane and out-of-plane motions is discussed, and a generalized method to eliminate them to show the pure stress gradient of the crack tip of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) is demonstrated. At the same time, the fracture parameter of stress intensity was calculated. The experimental angular deflection of light rays was compared with the theoretical angular deflection predicted by generalized model using data points in an array around the crack tip region. To show the potential and efficacy of the method, K values were obtained from experimental data during tests conducted in a PMMA three-point-bend specimen. Results show an excellent level of agreement with K values predicted from FEM, highlighting the potential of the proposed methodology.