Prediction of fracture profile using digital image correlation

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) based full field strain mapping methodology is used for mapping strain on an aluminum sample subjected to tensile deformation. The local strains on the surface of the specimen are calculated at different strain intervals. Early localization of strain is observed at a total strain of 0.050 epsilon itself, whereas a visually apparent localization of strain is observed at a total strain of 0.088.. Orientation of the line of fracture (12.0 degrees) is very close to the orientation of locus of strain maxima (11.6 degrees) computed from the strain mapping at 0.063 epsilon itself. These results show the efficacy of the DIC based method to predict the location as well as the profile of the fracture, at an early stage.