Optical analysis of crack tip stress fields: a comparative study

摘要

Four optical techniques for evaluating stress intensity factors in opaque specimens are described in outline, and compared for both an artificial crack and a fatigue crack. The results are compared to a standard solution for the geometry considered. All the techniques gave acceptable results over a range of stress levels and crack lengths. The methods of caustics and strain gauges were less good, whilst photoelasticity gave consistent results over a wide range of stress levels. Comments on the ease of application and the resource implications are also made in order to assist practitioners.