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Basic theory and experimental techniques of the strain-gradient method

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Abstract

The theories of presently used experimental methods of stress and deformation analysis which employ radiant energy as a detector are based on the assumption that light propagates rectilinearly within both undeformed and deformed bodies which are initially homogeneous and isotropic when diffraction phenomena are negligible. This assumption is not correct: light propagation within deformed bodies is nonrectilinear in a general case. Although this has already been observed and applied practically by some researchers in photoelasticity, it has not so far been generally acknowledged and accepted in experimental mechanics.

On the basis of empirical data produced by the authors in the period 1948–1983, we present theories and foundations of the techniques of a new experimental method which is based on the relations between stress/strain gradients and curvatures of light beams. This method is called the strain-gradient method or, less rigorously, gradient photoelasticity.

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Author notes

  1. F. W. Hecker (Visiting Associate Professor)

    Present address: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    J. T. Pindera (Professor Emeritus)

  2. Mechanik-Zentrum, Technische Universität Braunschweig, D3300, Braunschweig, Federal Republic of Germany

    F. W. Hecker (Visiting Associate Professor)

Authors
  1. J. T. Pindera
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  2. F. W. Hecker
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Pindera, J.T., Hecker, F.W. Basic theory and experimental techniques of the strain-gradient method. Experimental Mechanics 27, 314–327 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02318098

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02318098

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