A novel procedure for tracking the measuring point in thermoelastic curves using D.I.C.

The main purpose of this paper is defining a procedure that allows the tracking of the measuring point in notched specimens under static testing, investigated by full field experimental methodologies. One of the main problems is the motion of the measuring zone, associated with its compliance under increasing load. A procedure based on Digital Image Correlation (D.I.C.) aiming to define the stress concentration factor in a dynamic way has been developed. Furthermore, numerous revealing tests based on Thermographic Analysis (T.A.) have been carried out on flat plastics specimens with different hole diameters. The assessed and final tracking procedure could be used to better define the trend of temperature changes during the static tensile test, as well as measuring the stress concentration factors in notched specimens.