AE451 – Experiments in Aerospace Engineering III

Lab – 3
Full-Field Stress Analysis Using Photoelasticity Method

Objectives

To estimate the fringe constant of a polycarbonate disc. To perform experimental stress

measurements on a polycarbonate beam subjected to four-point bending using
photoelasticity. To measure the normal stress variation across the cross-sectional area of a
beam and compare the measured stress with the results predicted by beam theory.

Apparatus Used

1. Monochromatic light source

2. Beam Expander/Collimator and lenses
3. Polarizers
4. Quarter Wave Plates
5. Loading fixtures
6. White Sheets & DSLR Camera to view and capture the fringes
7. Specimen made of Polycarbonate (Disc & Beam)

Experimental Setup

Figure 3.1 is a schematic representation of the photoelasticity experiment.

Figure 3.1. A schematic of the photoelasticity experimental setup.

Procedure

The dimensions of the specimen needed for beam stress calculations (e.g. length of beam,
cross-sectional dimensions, precise locations of supports, exact locations of applied
concentrated loads, etc.) are to be measured.

a) Estimation of Fringe Constant:

1. The disc specimen is placed under diametrical loading as depicted in Fig. 3.2.

Figure 3.2. Disc subjected to diametrical loading.

2. The monochromatic light source is switched on and aligned so that it points to the
centre of the specimen.
3. Predetermined loads are applied on the disc specimen, and the photoelastic fringe
patterns are captured using a DSLR camera (or by drawing).
In a circular disk subjected to diametrical compression, the stress distribution along
the y = 0 line (neutral axis) is given by

2𝑃 (𝐷 2 − 4𝑥 2 )2
𝜎𝑥𝑥 = 𝜎1 = × 2
𝜋𝐷ℎ (𝐷 + 4𝑥 2 )2

−2𝑃 4𝐷4
𝜎𝑦𝑦 = 𝜎2 = ×( 2 − 1)
𝜋𝐷ℎ (𝐷 + 4𝑥 2 )2

𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 0
Therefore,

8𝑃 𝐷 4 − 4𝐷 2 𝑥 2 𝑁𝑓𝜎
𝜎1 − 𝜎2 = × 2 =
𝜋𝐷ℎ (𝐷 + 4𝑥 2 )2 𝑏

The fringe constant (fσ) is calculated using the formula

8𝐹 𝐷 4 − 4𝐷 2 𝑥 2
𝑓𝜎 = × 2
𝜋𝐷𝑁 (𝐷 + 4𝑥 2 )2
(1)

As shown in Fig. 3.3, diametrical loading results in a fringe pattern. For different loads, the
horizontal positions (x) of the fringes are found.
 Figure 3.3. Fringe pattern due to disc under diametrical load.

Table for fringe constant calculation:

Fringe
Load Applied Fringe Location Scaled Location Fringe Constant
Order
P (N) x' (mm) x (mm) fσ (kN/m)
N

Table 1

b) Stress field Measurement:

1. The beam specimen is to be placed and loaded in a symmetric four-point bend fixture.
 Figure 3.4. Schematic of a beam subjected to a 4-point bending load

2. The beam specimen is to be tested by applying selected loads, and photoelastic fringe
patterns are captured using a DSLR camera (or by drawing). At each fringe location,
the experimental normal stress value is calculated by using the formula

𝑁𝑓𝜎
𝜎𝑥 = ±
𝑏
(2)
Here fσ is the mean of all fringe constants found previously.

3. The formula below is to be used to calculate the theoretical stress distribution over the
cross-sectional area of the beam and compare the results to the photoelastic
experimental measurements.

𝑀(𝑥)𝑦
𝜎𝑥 (𝑥, 𝑦) =
𝐼
(3)

As shown in Fig. 3.4, the loading results in a constant bending moment in the center region of
the beam (between the inner two forces) with a value of

𝐹𝑑
𝑀=
2
(4)

The theoretical stress distribution on any cross-sectional area in the center region of the beam
is given by:

𝑀𝑦 𝐹𝑑
𝜎𝑥 (𝑦) = = [ ] 𝑦 = 𝐶𝑦
𝐼 2𝐼
(5)

where C is a constant that can be calculated. Utilizing the recorded photoelastic fringe pattern,
experimental values of stress σx can be calculated at various vertical positions (y).

In Fig. 3.5, the red circle represents the area under observation, and the yellow line represents
the neutral axis. The fringes near the neutral axis have fringe order N = 1, symmetrically on
both sides. The fringe order increases as the distance from the neutral axis increases.
 Figure 3.5. Typical fringe patterns due to the beam subjected to 4-point bending load.

Note: The projected image is enlarged. Image size has to be related to the specimen size, and
measurements used in calculations must only be concerning the specimen size.

Table for Stress calculation:

Fringe Scaled σx σx
Fringe Order Percent
Location Location [Measured] [Predicted]
N Difference
y' (mm) y (mm) (N/m^2) (N/m^2)

Table 2

Results and Discussion:

The plot of σx vs. y should be made to graphically compare the theoretical and experimental
results. In the graph, use data points for your experimental measurements and a solid line for
your theoretical prediction as shown in Fig. 3.6. The percentage error in the experiment is to
be calculated and the possible reasons for the discrepancies are to be discussed.

x

M
Slope =
I

Figure 3.6: A schematic of the required plot

Consider every load as a separate case and therefore there must be a ‘Table 2’ and a plot for
each load case.