Revealing load hysteresis based on physical-mesomechanical deformation and fracture criteria

Previously derived plastic deformation and fracture criteria are applied to an engineering application. Aluminum plate specimens are preloaded to various stress levels ranging from the elastic to plastic regime. After released from the preload, these specimens are reloaded at a stress level much lower than the yield stress. Electronic speckle pattern interferometry is used to observe fringe patterns that differentiate the level of preloading. Results of this study indicate that it is possible to reveal the load hysteresis through analysis of these fringe patterns.