Precision Of Strain Measurements Research Articles

Accuracy and precision of image-based strain measurement using embedded radiopaque markers

The purpose of this work was to assess the resolution to which micro-CT and intra-operative CT systems can quantify distances between radiopaque fiducial markers. Twenty-two markers were cast in a silicone phantom, then imaged at ten random rotations and translations within the field of view of a micro-CT and an intraoperative CT. A bounding box method and a mask-based weighted binary method were used to calculate the location of all markers in an image, then the Euclidian distance between neighbouring marker coordinates was calculated. The standard deviation in the inter-marker distance measurements from each of the marker position methods across the ten repeated trials was calculated for each marker identification method to provide a measure of the precision of the strain measurement with each scanner. The imaging systems measured 3D distances between markers to within 0.007 mm and 0.028 mm in the micro-CT and intra-operative CT, respectively, using the bounding box method, and to within 0.011 mm and 0.040 mm in the micro-CT and intra-operative systems, respectively, using the weighted-mask method. The bounding box method was found to be the most precise and is highly promising for applications in high resolution regional soft-tissue strain measurements.

Patterned probes for high precision 4D-STEM bragg measurements

Nanoscale strain mapping by four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) relies on determining the precise locations of Bragg-scattered electrons in a sequence of diffraction patterns, a task which is complicated by dynamical scattering, inelastic scattering, and shot noise. These features hinder accurate automated computational detection and position measurement of the diffracted disks, limiting the precision of measurements of local deformation. Here, we investigate the use of patterned probes to improve the precision of strain mapping. We imprint a “bullseye” pattern onto the probe, by using a binary mask in the probe-forming aperture, to improve the robustness of the peak finding algorithm to intensity modulations inside the diffracted disks. We show that this imprinting leads to substantially improved strain-mapping precision at the expense of a slight decrease in spatial resolution. In experiments on an unstrained silicon reference sample, we observe an improvement in strain measurement precision from 2.7% of the reciprocal lattice vectors with standard probes to 0.3% using bullseye probes for a thin sample, and an improvement from 4.7% to 0.8% for a thick sample. We also use multislice simulations to explore how sample thickness and electron dose limit the attainable accuracy and precision for 4D-STEM strain measurements.

Effect of Experience and Training on the Concordance and Precision of Strain Measurements

ObjectivesThis study sought to show the degree to which experience and training affect the precision and validity of global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurement and to evaluate the variability of strain measurement after feedback. BackgroundThe application of GLS for the detection of subclinical dysfunction has been recommended in an expert consensus document and is being used with increasing frequency. The role of experience in the precision and validity of GLS measurement is unknown, as is the efficacy of training. MethodsFifty-eight readers, divided into 4 groups on the basis of their experience with GLS, calculated GLS from speckle strain analysis of 9 cases with various degrees of image quality. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), mean difference, SD, and coefficient of variation (CV) were compared against the measurements of a reference group that had experience with >1,000 cases of strain measurement. Individualized feedback was distributed, and repeat measurements were performed by 40 readers. Comparisons with the baseline variation provided information about whether feedback was effective. ResultsThe ICC for GLS was significantly greater than that for ejection fraction regardless of image quality. Experience with strain measurement affected the concordance in strain values among the readers; the group with the highest level of experience showed significantly better ICC than those with no experience, although the ICC of the inexperienced readers was still very good (0.996 vs. 0.975; p = 0.0002). As experience increased, the mean difference, SD, and CV became significantly smaller. The CV of segmental strain analysis showed significant improvement after training, regardless of experience. ConclusionsThe favorable interobserver agreement of GLS makes it more attractive than ejection fraction for follow-up of left ventricular function by multiple observers. Although experience is important, the precision of GLS was high for all groups. Training appears to be of most value for the assessment of segmental strain.

Analysis on strain transfer of surface-bonding FBG on Al 7075-T6 alloy host

To improve the performance of surface-bonding FBG strain sensors, the mechanical model of strain transfer between FBG and its protecting shell was optimized. Based on the simplified strain transfer model, the average strain transfer efficiency of adhesive layer is deduced. Theoretical simulation reveals that strain transfer efficiency and stability of adhesive layer are strongly dependent on the elasticity modulus of adhesive layer, and it is better to replace organic adhesives with metal welding as the adhesive layer. To verify the validity of theory and methodology, the contrast test is carried out. 353ND and a soldering tin are selected as the bonding materials, and two FBG were bonded respectively and directly onto the Al 7075-T6 alloy uniform strength beam. Test results indicate that the average strain transfer efficiency of the soldering tin maintains a level of 99.2%. It is in good accordance with the theoretical analysis, which proves the correctness and feasibility of the model and bonding technical approach. By replacing epoxy with the metal welding, it can greatly improve the strain measurement precision, and can more fully exert fiber optic sensors’ strain measurement ability.

Assessing the precision of strain measurements using electron backscatter diffraction – part 1: Detector assessment

We analyse the link between precision of pattern shift measurements and the resolution of the measurement of elastic strain and lattice rotation using high resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD). This study combines analysis of high quality experimentally obtained diffraction patterns from single crystal silicon; high quality dynamical simulations using Bloch wave theory; quantitative measurements of the detector Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) and a numerical model. We have found that increases in exposure time, when 1×1 binning is selected, are the primary reason for the observed increase in sensitivity at greater than 2×2 binning and therefore use of software integration and high bit depth images enables a significant increase in strain resolution. This has been confirmed using simulated diffraction patterns which provide evidence that the ultimate theoretical resolution of the cross correlation based EBSD strain measurement technique with a 1000×1000 pixel image could be as low as 4.2×10(-7) in strain based on a shift precision of 0.001 pixels.

Assessing the precision of strain measurements using electron backscatter diffraction – Part 2: Experimental demonstration

The residual impression after performing a microhardness indent in silicon has been mapped with high resolution EBSD to reveal residual elastic strain and lattice rotation fields. Mapping of the same area has been performed with variable pattern binning and exposure times to reveal the qualitative and quantitative differences resulting from reducing the pattern size and exposure time. Two dimension 'image' plots of these fields indicate that qualitative assessment of the shape and size of the fields can be performed with as much as 4×4 binning. However, quantitative assessment using line scans reveals that the smoothest profile can be obtained using minimal pattern binning and long exposure times. To compare and contrast with these experimental maps, finite element analysis has been performed using a continuum damage-plasticity material law which has been independently calibrated to Si [9]. The constitutive law incorporates isotropic hardening in compression, and isotropic hardening and damage in tension. To accurately capture the localised damage which develops during indentation via the nucleation and propagation of cracks around the indentation site cohesive elements were assigned along the interfaces between the planes which experience the maximum traction. The residual strain state around the indenter and the size of the cracks agree very well with the experimentally measured value.

Strain Measurement in Semiconductor Heterostructures by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

This article deals with the measurement of strain in semiconductor heterostructures from convergent beam electron diffraction patterns. In particular, three different algorithms in the field of (circular) pattern recognition are presented that are able to detect diffracted disc positions accurately, from which the strain in growth direction is calculated. Although the three approaches are very different as one is based on edge detection, one on rotational averages, and one on cross correlation with masks, it is found that identical strain profiles result for an In x Ga1-x N y As1-y /GaAs heterostructure consisting of five compressively and tensile strained layers. We achieve a precision of strain measurements of 7-9·10-4 and a spatial resolution of 0.5-0.7 nm over the whole width of the layer stack which was 350 nm. Being already very applicable to strain measurements in contemporary nanostructures, we additionally suggest future hardware and software designs optimized for fast and direct acquisition of strain distributions, motivated by the present studies.

Precise stress measurements with white synchrotron x rays

In situ measurement of stress in polycrystalline samples forms the basis for studies of the mechanical properties of materials with very broad earth science and materials science applications. Synchrotron x rays have been used to define the local elastic strain in these samples, which in turn define stress. Experimental work to date has been carried out on a prototype detection system that provided a strain measurement precision >10(-4), which corresponds to a stress resolution >50 MPa for silicate minerals. Here we report operation of a new, permanent, energy dispersive detection system for white radiation, which has been developed at the National Synchrotron Light Source. The new system provides differential strain measurements with a precision of 3 x 10(-5) for volumes that are 50 x 50 x 500 microm(3). This gives a stress precision of about 10 MPa for silicate minerals.

Applications of Digital Correlation Method to Structure Inspection

In structure inspections, applications of optical techniques are rare, but the advantages of a non-contact, full field technique using a simple apparatus are attractive. The main requirements for structure inspection are the full-field strain measurement with the required precision and on-site measurement ability. The digital correlation method (DCM), a new optical deformation measurement tool, can satisfy all of the requirements for structure inspection. A smoothing algorithm which can greatly improve the strain measurement precision, and a 3-D DCM have been developed in this paper. For verifying this improvement, a comparison of strain measurements by computer-simulated speckle images has been carried out. Additionally, three structure inspection examples that cover typical materials and structure styles are presented: the interface shear stress distribution for reinforced concrete piles bedded on rock, the 3-D strain distribution of a composite vessel structure, and stresses in a hookup that connects two steel bridge structures. All the examples show that the new structural inspection tool is exemplary and illustrates the obvious advantages of this optical non-destructive technique.

Relationship between bone tissue strain and lattice strain of HAp crystals in bovine cortical bone under tensile loading

Cortical bone is a composite material composed of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen. As HAp is a crystalline structure, an X-ray diffraction method is available to measure the strain of HAp crystals. However, HAp crystals in bone tissue have been known to have the low degree of crystallization. Authors have proposed an X-ray diffraction method to measure the lattice strain of HAp crystals from the diffusive intensity profile due to low crystallinity. The precision of strain measurement was greatly improved by this method. In order to confirm the possibility of estimating the bone tissue strain with measurements of the strain of HAp crystals, this work investigates the relationship between bone tissue strain on a macroscopic scale and the lattice strain of HAp crystals on a microscopic scale. The X-ray diffraction experiments were performed under tensile loading. Strip bone specimens of 40×6×0.8 mm in size were cut from the cortical region of a shaft of bovine femur. A stepwise tensile load was applied in the longitudinal direction of the specimen. By detecting the diffracted X-ray beam transmitted through the specimen, the lattice strain was directly measured in the loading direction. As a result, the lattice strain of HAp crystals showed lower value than the bone tissue strain measured by a strain gage. The bone tissue strain was described with the mean lattice strain of the HAp crystals and the elastic modulus.

A method on strain measurement of HAP in cortical bone from diffusive profile of X-ray diffraction

Bone tissue is a composite material composed of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen matrix. As HAp is a crystalline structure, an X-ray diffraction method is available to measure the lattice strain of HAp crystals. However, mineral particles of HAp in bone have much lower crystallinity than usual crystalline materials, which show a diffusive intensity profile of X-ray diffraction. It is not easy to determine quantitatively an infinitesimal strain of HAp from the peak position of diffusive profile. In order to improve the accuracy of strain measurement of HAp in bone tissue and to obtain reproducible results, this paper proposes an X-ray diffraction method applied to a diffusive profile for low crystallinity. This method is to estimate the lattice strain of HAp using not a peak position but a whole diffraction profile. In this experiment, a strip specimen of 28×8×2 mm was made from bone axial, outside circumferential and cross-sectional circumferential region in the cortical bone of bovine femur. The X-ray diffraction measurements were carried out before and after applying an external load. As a result, the precision of strain measurement was much improved by this method. Although a constant value of macroscopic strain was applied in the specimen, the lattice strain had a lower value than the macroscopic strain and had a different value in each specimen.

Estimation of a Brillouin power spectrum distribution based on an iterative weighted least mean square method

AbstractA fiberoptic strain sensor is being developed that exploits the fact that the difference between the central frequency of Brillouin scattering, which is a type of back scattering that occurs in optical fibers, and the incident light frequency depends on the strain of the optical fiber. The measurement of the central frequency of the Brillouin scattering requires an estimation of the power spectrum distribution of the Brillouin scattering. An improvement in distribution estimation accuracy can potentially improve both the accuracy of central frequency measurements and the precision of strain measurements. Focusing on the problem of the power spectrum distribution of the Brillouin scattering, this paper proposes a weighted repetition least mean square algorithm. The paper also examines the stability of the proposed repetition algorithm and demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach through simulations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(1): 72–80, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.1183

Signal processing for a high-spatial-resolution distributed sensor

The development of an automated distributed fiber optic sensor based on the Brillouin loss principle is presented. A description of the system configuration and signal processing techniques used in the measurement and control system are included. The system can achieve 0.5-m spatial resolution with ±1°C temperature or ±20 ?m/m strain measurement precision.

Nonincremental interferometric fiber-optic measurement method for simultaneous detection of temperature and strain

A nonincremental interferometric fiber-optic measurement method for simultaneous detection of temperature and strain is reported. The method is based on the joint evaluation of the fiber-optical path length and of the fiber dispersion by means of nonincremental interferometric phase readings at two different wavelengths. The joint use of a low-coherence source and of multiple optical filtering of the interference term permits effective setting up of the method. The experimental results prove a strain measurement precision of approximately 10 micro m in the presence of temperature variation of 30 degrees C.