A comparison of strain calculation using digital image correlation and finite element software

Abstract

Digital image correlation (DIC) data are being extensively used for many forming applications and for comparisons with finite element analysis (FEA) simulated results. The most challenging comparisons are often in the area of strain localizations just prior to material failure. While qualitative comparisons can be misleading, quantitative comparisons are difficult because of insufficient information about the type of strain output. In this work, strains computed from DIC displacements from a forming limit test are compared to those from three commercial FEA software. Quantitative differences in calculated strains are assessed to determine if the scale of variations seen between FEA and DIC calculated strains constitute real behavior or just calculation differences.