The multi‐load method of determining discrete system parameters in a loaded three dimensional photoelastic model

Abstract

AbstractThe determination of the secondary principal stress difference and their orientations for a discrete slice of thickness dz along a particular light path in a loaded three dimensional photoelastic model is discussed in this paper. It is well known that once the geometry of the loaded member and the geometry of loading on the member are fixed, the secondary principal stress directions at any particular point along any line of consideration remain constant. The secondary principal stress values will get multiplied by the factor through which the loading on the component is increased. This has been made use of in the present method and from the characteristic parameters obtained at the end of any light path for different loadings on the three dimensional model, the secondary principal stress difference and their orientations are obtained. The method proposed is a fully non‐destructive method of testing and involves measurements only on a transmission polariscope.