Displacement measurement and shape acquisition of an RC helicopter blade using Digital Image Correlation

The present work addresses the development and implementation of an image sensing methodology for Structural Integrity Monitoring of rotating parts such as aircraft rotor blades. The availability of blade deformation data can enhance the quality of the numerical models and increase the confidence on the simulations. The proposed approach to the problem of deformation measurement on moving subjects uses simultaneously triggered high-speed cameras to bring the rotating subject to an apparent still position, and using 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) thereafter to acquire shape and measure total deformation and local strain and stress. The presented contribution involves the use of 3D DIC for displacement measurement and shape acquisition of a radio-controlled helicopter's rotor blade under dynamic loads resultant from rotation at its minimum and maximum speeds (approximately 600 and 1200 rpm respectively). (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.