Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry Measurements Research Articles

Channel transformer U-Net: an automatic and effective skeleton extraction network for electronic speckle pattern interferometry.

The fringe skeleton extraction method may be the most straightforward method for electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) phase extraction. Due to ESPI fringe patterns having the characteristics of high noise, low contrast, and different fringe shapes, it is very difficult to extract skeletons from ESPI fringe patterns with high accuracy. To deal with this problem, we propose a skeleton extraction method based on deep learning, called channel transformer U-Net, for directly extracting skeletons from noisy ESPI fringe patterns. In the proposed method, the advanced channel-wise cross fusion transformer module is integrated into the design of deep U-Net architecture, and a loss function by combining binary cross entropy loss and poly focal loss is proposed. In addition, a marking algorithm is proposed for phase extraction, which can realize automatic identification of a skeleton line. The effectiveness of the above proposed algorithms has been verified by computer-simulated and real-dynamic ESPI measurements. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed channel transformer U-Net can obtain accurate, complete, and smooth skeletons in all cases. The accuracy of the skeleton extraction obtained by our proposed network can reach 0.9878, and the correlation coefficient value can reach 0.9905. The skeleton line automatic marking algorithm has strong universality.

A novel test method for tendon re-anchorage in bonded post tensioned concrete using ESPI full field measurement

In this paper, a novel test method is proposed to measure the re-anchorage of a ruptured tendon in bonded post-tensioned concrete. Full-field measurements on post-tensioned concrete prisms (500 × 100 × 100 mm) allow a large number of parameters to be considered. The full-field displacement on the concrete surface after the rupture was recorded using 3D Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), which is an optical contactless technique. The results in the paper also demonstrate the power of the ESPI measurements, which allow many more measurements to be made (in this study 256 × 51 point measurements of displacement in concrete prisms) in comparison to conventional techniques such as DEMEC and electrical resistance strain gauges. The comparison of the proposed test method results to the 3D non-linear finite element model predictions shows the strength of the proposed test method for studying the re-anchorage phenomenon of ruptured tendons.

Timber screw connection: Study of the strain along the interface using optical measurement techniques and simulations

In various engineering applications, self-tapping screws are used to connect timber members. To describe their load-deformation relationship, a better understanding of the strain along the mechanical interface (i.e., timber-screw interface) is required. With a focus on the axial loading of self-tapping screws, only a few studies have dealt with the determination of the strain based on optical measurement techniques. Therefore, in the present study, the strain distribution at the timber-screw interface was monitored during pull-out tests using an optical measurement technique, called electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI). Strains obtained from the ESPI measurements were compared with the results obtained from structural simulations conducted with finite element modelling (FEM). Three different types of solid spruce wood (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) specimens with different grain orientations connected with self-tapping screws (thread length lg = 130 mm, outer thread diameter d = 12 mm) were tested in withdrawal. There was a good agreement between the ESPI and FEM results, confirming that ESPI was a suitable measurement technique. The study also provided insights and results regarding the region of strain concentrations across the length of self-tapping screws.

Fully automated extraction of the fringe skeletons in dynamic electronic speckle pattern interferometry using a U-Net convolutional neural network

With the development of artificial intelligence technology, intelligent fringe processing is a goal of relevant researchers in optical interferometry. We propose an intelligent method to achieve fully automated extraction of the fringe skeletons in electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) based on U-Net convolutional neural network. In the proposed method, the network is first trained by the samples that consist of the noisy ESPI fringe patterns and the corresponding skeleton images. After training, the other multiframe ESPI fringe patterns are fed to the trained network simultaneously; the corresponding skeleton images can be obtained in batches. Using our method, it is not necessary to process fringe patterns frame by frame. Our method is especially suitable for multiframe fringe patterns processing. We apply the intelligent method to one computer-simulated and one real-dynamic ESPI measurement, respectively. For the simulated measurement, it takes just 40 s to obtain the skeleton images of 20 noisy ESPI fringe patterns using our method. Even for low-quality experimental obtained ESPI fringe patterns, our method can also give desired results.

Fracture behavior of nuclear graphite under three-point bending tests

Three-point bending tests are performed on center-notched graphite beams to study the fracture properties of IG11 graphite. Electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) is used to measure the full-field deformation of the graphite beams. A clip gauge is used to measure the crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) of the beams, which validates the ESPI measurements. In addition, finite element (FE) analysis is performed by using the ABAQUS code coupled with the extended FE method to simulate the growth of cracks in graphite. A combined stress-energy based fracture criterion, specifically, damage for traction separation laws based on maximum principal stress damage initiation and energy based damage evolution with linear softening is applied. The numerical results are compared with the experimental results which show exceptional agreement, thus confirming the accuracy of the FE model. The fracture toughness KIc, fracture energy GF, peak load Pmax and critical displacements at the peak load of each specimen are determined. From the displacement contours measured by ESPI, the positions of the neutral axis and crack opening displacement (COD) profiles at different loading levels are estimated. From the phase maps, the changes in the fracture process zone (FPZ) are analyzed and the size of the FPZ is determined. The strain contours at different loadings indicate that the material near the crack tip experiences biaxial tensile stress.

Detection of Crack Evolution in Plain Concrete by Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry

In order to study crack evolution in concrete, Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) technique was applied to measure full-field displacement of concrete beam subjected to three-point bending. Basic principles of ESPI technique were introduced. Mid-span deflection and crack mouth opening displacement were measured by linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and clip gauge, respectively. Typical load-displacement curves measured by different methods were compared and analyzed. Analysis results indicated that ESPI results were in good agreement with that measured by LVDT (clip gauge), verifying the validity and accuracy of ESPI measurement. From displacement contours, crack evolution including its initiation and propagation was observed. Furthermore, strain profiles near the crack at different loading levels were determined. Strain profile was nearly linear before crack initiation and became nonlinear with crack growth.

Study on Fracture Properties of Mortar Based on Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry

With high resolution, electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) technique can be useful in measuring full-filed deformation of laboratory specimens. In this study, ESPI was applied to measure the full-field displacements of mortar beam subjected to three-point bend. Load-displacement curves measured by ESPI were compared to that measured by clip gauge and LVDTs. Satisfactory agreement was observed in all the comparisons, demonstrating the effectiveness and accuracy of ESPI measurement. Furthermore, load versus crack tip opening displacement curve was obtained from ESPI results. Finally, extent of the fracture process zone and neutral axis of the mortar beam were analyzed based on full-filed displacement contour measured by ESPI.

Novel ESPI Measurement Prototype for Analyzing Biological Samples from Cell Culture Technique

An essential part of cell cultivation via cell culture technology is the determination and monitoring of culture parameters. Such parameters refer to the vitality or mutual mutations of the cell culture, while the actual number of living cells in each batch indicates the correct growth rate rather than stagnation or an overgrowth of the cell culture. Today such parameters are determined by applying light microscopy methods or by staining specific constituents of the cells. Commonly such methods are a stressful procedure for the studied cells. Most applied dyes are toxic over a certain period of time and thus they are used in low concentrations only when necessary. Within this work a new kind of measurement device prototype was designed to address these problems. This device is based on the Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI). ESPI is an optical high-resolution method combined with a photonic analysis system capable of analyzing cellular deformations and oscillations. In this approach the combination of a greatly modified microscope together with ESPI method is presented. The apparatus allows the determination of cellular deformation (i) at very high magnifications, (ii) with high lateral resolution. Furthermore the system studies (iii) contact free, (iv) in vitro cells, in a non-invasive and non-destructive way. A co-developed cultivation system allows monitoring the culture parameters in real time minimizing the stress for the cell culture. Since no additional substances are needed, the presented prototype is automated to a large extent and can be operated by a special control-and regulation system (CRS) based on a microcontroller development board (Arduino Mega).

3-D ESPI Measurements Applied to Selected Engineering Problems

The presented paper introduces the application of the Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) technique for measurements of contours of strains and stresses on 3-D surfaces. The paper focuses on three selected applications. Firstly, the methodology for determining the Poisson ratio of a material from tensile tests is described. Secondly, results of calibration verification of a biaxial extensometer used for measurements of shear strain in comparison with the ESPI measurements are presented. Finally, the experimental analysis of stresses in welds is discussed. As mentioned in the paper, the method is very useful for material testing, as well as for measurements on structural parts in service.

Optimum Image Extraction and Phase Analysis for ESPI Measurements Under Environmental Disturbance

We propose a new technique for electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) for measuring static deformation under environmental disturbances. In this technique, a number of laser speckle images of the initial and deformed states are captured, and images appropriate for making interference fringes are extracted using the optimum image extraction method. The phase of the interference fringe pattern is evaluated from the extracted images using a random phase-stepping method. In this study, translation amounts by random vibration are used as the phase stepping amounts. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique, an in-plane rotation of a flat plate and a strain distribution around a weld line of a compressor tank are measured. A compact speckle interferometer constructed on a tripod is used for the measurement. As a result, an interference fringe can be obtained, and the subsequent phase analysis can be performed under the proposed method without a vibration isolator. It is expected that ESPI measurements under environmental disturbance will be possible using the proposed technique.

Use of specklegrams background terms for speckle photography combined with phase-shifting electronic speckle pattern interferometry

Electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) is combined with digital speckle photography (DSP) to measure out-of-plane deformation in the presence of large in-plane translation or rotation. ESPI is used to measure out-of-plane displacements smaller than the speckle diameter. In-plane displacements larger than the speckle size are obtained by DSP using artifacts images computed from the phase-stepped specklegrams. Previous works use the specklegram modulation for that purpose, but we show that this can lead to errors in the case of low modulation. In order to avoid this, a simple averaging of phase-stepped specklegrams allows obtaining the average irradiance, which contains information on the speckled object image. The latter can be used more efficiently than the modulation in DSP and is simpler to compute. We also perform a numerical simulation of specklegrams, which show that the use of background terms is much more stable against some error sources as compared to modulation. We show experimental evidence of this in various experiments combining out-of-plane ESPI measurements with in-plane translations or rotations obtained by our DSP method. The latter has been used efficiently to restore phase loss in out-of-plane ESPI measurements due to large in-plane displacements.

Homogeneous shear stress field of wood in an Arcan shear test configuration measured by means of electronic speckle pattern interferometry: description of the test setup

Several studies have dealt with the problem of how to measure the shear modulus of small clear wood specimens, avoiding bias from normal compression, bending, tension or torsional stresses. Unbiased results can be used to estimate realistic shear modulus values relevant for timber construction. However, a stress field that contains only uniformly distributed shear stress cannot be achieved. The Arcan shear test is one of the test setups that allows the measurement of more or less homogeneous shear stress and, therefore, shear deformation in a small volume of the specimen at macroscopic material level. The shear deformation of Arcan shear test samples was measured between the two notches by means of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI). Shear tests were performed in a tension mode, which provided a homogeneous strain field in the reduced midsection. Twisting forces and inhomogeneous shear deformation of the sample volume were assumed, which resulted in different shear deformation on the front and back sides of the sample. In this way, both surfaces of the samples were measured in parallel. Using the mean value of both deformation fields allowed a significant reduction in the coefficient of variation of shear modulus measurements to be achieved in comparison with values gained from a single ESPI measurement.

The design of a non-cube beam-splitter used for electronic speckle pattern interferometry

A non-cube beam-splitter (NCBS) is proposed, by which an incident beam can be separated largely in a direction and then the lights from the test object and the lights from a reference surface placed adjacently to the test object can be combined to construct a simple electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) system. Two mainly useful quantitative ways, to calculate the phase change of the test object, the phase-shift and the fringe carrier method with Fourier transform, can be achieved in the ESPI system with the NCBS. Experiments with phase-shifting and fringe carrier method are completed. The experimental results show that the monolithic design of the proposed NCBS is effective in ESPI measurement and immunity to vibrations.

Correction of strain errors induced by small rigid-body motions in electronic speckle pattern interferometry measurement

Electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) can provide non-contact, high-precision, and full-field displacement measurement. This technique is particularly useful for determining deformations on objects with high strain gradients and complex shapes. However, small rigid-body movements of the object being measured can spoil the accuracy of the ESPI measurement and cause dramatic strain errors. Based on the theory of geometric optics, formulae for evaluating the theoretical strain errors caused by different modes of rigid-body motion were explicitly derived. The proposed formulae were validated by comparing the theoretical strain errors generated from a set of known rigid-body motions with the strains obtained by ESPI. The experimental results agreed well with the theoretical results. The results further revealed that the out-of-plane rigid-body motion had the strongest influence on the strain errors among the rigid-body movements considered. An out-of-plane movement of 0.01 mm could generate a strain...

Strain Measurements within Fibreboard. Part III: Analyzing the Process Zone at the Crack Tip of Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF) Double Cantilever I-Beam Specimens

This paper is the third part of a study dealing with the mechanical and fracture mechanical characterization of Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF). In the first part, an analysis of internal bond strength testing was performed and in the second part MDF was analyzed by means of the wedge splitting experiment; this part deals with the double cantilever I beam test, which is designed for measuring the fracture energy as well as stress intensity factor in Mode I. For a comparison of isotropic and orthotropic material behavior, finite element modeling was performed. In addition to the calculation of fracture energy the stress intensity factor was analyzed by means of finite elements simulation and calculation. In order to analyze strain deformations and the process zone, electronic speckle pattern interferometry measurements were performed. The results revealed an elongated process zone and lower results for KIC if compared to the wedge splitting experiment. The Gf numbers are higher compared to the wedge splitting results and can be explained by the thicker process zone formed during the crack propagation. The process zone width on its part is influenced by the stiff reinforcements and yields a similar crack surface as with the internal bond test.

Measurement of vibrational energy flow in a plate with high energy flow boundary crossing using electronic speckle pattern interferometry

The measurement of vibrational energy flow is an important tool in understanding the vibrational behaviour of structures. In the past, because of transducer constraints, the measurement of vibrational energy flow was mostly restricted to single point measurements. However, recent developments in advanced laser measurement techniques, such as electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI), have gained interest in applying two-dimensional, multi-point measurement techniques to the estimation of vibrational energy flow. This paper addresses the measurement of vibrational energy flow in a plate by using an ESPI based vibrational energy flow measurement technique. A radially symmetric bending wave plate vibration model is introduced and theoretical expressions for energy-based quantities are derived. To assess the accuracy of the measurement method, these theoretical quantities are compared to synthetic results derived from the ESPI energy flow measurement technique. The ESPI measurement technique is also applied to an experimental ‘infinite’ plate. Thus, a specially designed experimental apparatus was constructed so as to minimise undesired wave reflections in the plate and, thus, achieve a high energy flow boundary crossing at the edges of the plate. To reduce the effect of optical noise contamination on the ESPI measured out-of-plane plate displacement data, optimal filters were applied prior to the vibrational energy flow computation. To appraise the accuracy of the experimental method, measured vibrational power on the plate is compared with measured vibrational input power. A difference of less than 1dB between both quantities indicates that vibrational energy flow within a rectangular plate that contains radially symmetric wave propagation can be measured to a good degree of accuracy if appropriate filtering is applied.

Crack detection in photovoltaic cells by interferometric analysis of electronic speckle patterns

Cracking is a common problem encountered during the fabrication of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells. In this study, electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) is developed as a tool for rapid identification of cracks in PV cells. Thermally induced cell deformation of defect-free and defect-bearing PV cells was first modeled with numerical simulations and then experimentally studied by optical configuration for ESPI measurement of out-of-plane deformations. Both numerical and experimental results indicate that the speckle patterns imparted during thermal deformation of a cell allow for simultaneous quantification of crack size, location and type in both single- and poly-crystalline PV cells. Speckle patterns near defects were manifested as continuous, chevron-shaped, and broken fringes for scratch, surface cracks, and through cracks, respectively. For comparison to other existing techniques, full field electroluminescent images were also provided for every defective PV cell. Electroluminescent imaging is capable of detecting cracks, but unlike ESPI, is unable to distinguish between the different types of cracks. Because the amount of heating needed to induce out-of-plane deformation resolvable by ESPI is small (<0.5°C) and because ESPI is sensitive to crack type, the ESPI-based imaging study presented here can potentially be developed into a rapid, non-destructive inspection tool for the structural integrity of solar cells at any point within the manufacturing process.

DIC-Based Surface Motion Correction for ESPI Measurements

Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) provides a sensitive technique for measuring surface deformations. The technique involves comparison of the speckle phase angles within surface images measured before and after material deformation. This phase angle comparison requires that the speckle positions be consistent in all images. A lateral shift between image sets of just one pixel substantially degrades ESPI measurements, while a shift of two or more pixels typically causes complete decorrelation and compromises the measurement entirely. To prevent such rigid body motions, the specimen and the optical system must be rigidly fixed. This requirement typically impedes use of the ESPI method in applications outside laboratories or where it is necessary to remove the specimen from the optical setup between ESPI measurements. Here, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is used to track speckle motion caused by specimen displacement between ESPI phase stepped image sets. The measured image set can then be mathematically shifted to restore the original speckle locations, thereby recorrelating the ESPI measurement. Examples are presented where ESPI measurements are successfully made with specimen shifts over 60 pixels.

Residual Stress Determination Using Cross-Slitting and Dual-Axis ESPI

Hole-drilling and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) are used to measure residual stresses in metal specimens. The slitting method is chosen as an alternative to the more commonly used hole-drilling method because it involves less material removal and leaves large areas of highly deformed material available to be measured. However the conventional single-slitting method is sensitive only to the stress component perpendicular to the slit direction, and thus has a strong directional bias. Conventional ESPI has a similar bias because it responds to surface displacements in a specific sensitivity direction. In this paper, a novel cross-slitting method with dual-axis ESPI measurements is proposed to address both directional biases. Cross-slitting is introduced as a means of releasing all in-plane stress components. The dual-axis ESPI system uses diagonal-mirror and shutter devices to provide surface displacement measurements in orthogonal in-plane directions. The combination of the cross-slit and dual-axis measurement gives isotropic sensitivity to the in-plane residual stress components. Experimental measurements are described that illustrate the capability and effectiveness of the cross-slitting/ESPI technique.

Electronic speckle pattern interferometry applied for three-dimensional displacement measurement of a sandwich plate containing a fully potted insert

This study presents the construction and operation of a novel electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) technique, which was applied earliest to sandwich plates containing a single insert. The proposed ESPI is a full-field and non-destructive test that can measure tiny out-of-plane and in-plane displacements under an elastic loading condition. Experimental construction integrates out-of-plane and in-plane measurements into a single optical system to measure three-dimensional displacement of sandwich plates. The ESPI experimental result indicates that displacement of the sandwich plate decreased as the core thickness increased. This experimental result also suggests that displacement decreased as the insert diameter increased; however, estimated strength increased. For validation purposes, the analytical and finite element method (FEM) were utilized to compare the experimental result with ESPI measurements. Comparison between analytical results, ESPI results, and FEM results revealed that all results were in agreement.