A high-fidelity strain-mapping framework using digital image correlation

A practical framework is developed in this work for extracting high-fidelity quantitative strain information from three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) experiments. The framework is applicable for continuum-scale deformation in elastic and plastic regimes in the presence of macroscopic strain gradients. The framework is developed, demonstrated, and validated by conducting 3D-DIC experiments and corresponding finite element analysis (FEA) on polycrystalline aluminum tensile specimens with and without macroscopic strain gradient subjected to uniaxial tensile deformation in both elastic and plastic regimes. The developed framework is expected to be applicable for continuum-scale deformation in other classes of materials. (C) 2013 United Technologies Corporation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.