Evaluation Framework for Tensile Measurements, based on Full-Field Deformation Measurements and Digital Twins

Abstract

Structural Integrity Computations are sensitive to the predictive capabilities of its calculation methodology, and the quantity as well as the quality of information extracted from material tests. Currently, long-term research is underway, with the goal to establish an advanced methodology with increased predictive power for the Structural Integrity of Large-Scale Pressure Systems and bring it into industrial use. An advanced methodology may be used in industrial engineering projects, once its theoretical model has been developed and the necessary experiments have been carried out, as well as the methodology for evaluating the experiments derived from the theory has been validated. A theoretical framework for an advanced methodology has been prepared. Experiments can adequately support the advanced methodology, when they can provide information in the required quantity and quality. Tensile tests are among the basic material testing methods required to perform any Strength and Structural Integrity investigation. To increase the amount and quality of information to be obtained from tensile tests, a Material Test System has been equipped with an optical system to capture full-field geometric images of the specimen during measurement. By processing the images using an in-house developed software, the full deformation field of the test specimen is produced, which complements the ‘classical’ strain gauge-based elongation results. The measurements are evaluated using the Digital Twin of the specimen and the measurement process. The Measurement System and its Digital Twin have been integrated into a coherent system. First results of tests evaluated with the Digital Twin show that the new system’s capabilities can go far beyond the limits of standards-based evaluation methods.