Unified digital image correlation under meshfree framework

Abstract

AbstractThe implementation of digital image correlation (DIC) involves several different problems, such as image prefiltering, image intensity gradient calculation, image intensity interpolation at subpixel positions, shape function construction and strain calculation. This paper offers a unified insight into the nature of several key problems in DIC technique. We treat all the problems involved in the former mentioned key steps as fundamentally the same problem, that is, reconstructing an analytical description from a discrete and noisy sampling of a signal, such as discrete image intensity and displacement at some scattered nodes. From the reconstructed analytical description, the gradient and physical value at subpixel or integral pixel position can be analytically calculated without extra error. Here, we solve all these problems using the same mathematical tool, the meshfree method, leading to a unified DIC (U‐DIC) method. This method introduces errors solely during the steps involving the determination of the continuous description. However, it effectively avoids errors in the remaining steps. It holds the best balance between spatial resolution and measurement resolution for both displacement and strain measurements compared to 28 state‐of‐the‐art DIC algorithms based on the benchmark tests on DIC Challenge 2.0. It also holds all the unique advantages of the advanced meshfree DIC (MF‐DIC) compared to conventional local DIC and global DIC. The novel concept and excellent balance between spatial resolution and measurement resolution make U‐DIC an attractive replacement for conventional DIC methods. Additionally, the consistency of the implementation procedures in U‐DIC can simplify the parameter selection in DIC, which is of potential for the standardization of DIC technique.