Application of Digital Image Correlation in Course of Mechanical Experiments

Novel scientific research can be introduced in the experimental teaching of mechanics. The benefits will not only promote the teaching level by the applications of scientific researches, but also widen students’ view fields of knowledge and stimulate their learning interests. The measurement of two-dimensional digital image correlation is easily applied and its operation is also simple, and thus it is suitable to be explored and applied in the teaching of mechanical experiments for undergraduate students. Taking the beam bending experiment for an example, the two-dimensional digital image correlation can be utilized to obtain the strain distribution on the cross-section of beam and the elastic modulus of specimen. The linear distribution of normal strain along the cross-section of the bending beam is clearly demonstrated by the contour fringes of the normal strain. Also, the measured elastic modulus of the specimen is simular to the theoretical magnitude of the material. The results manifest the method is practical and effective in the teaching of mechanical experiments.