The magic of carrier fringes in moiré interferometry

Practical applications in which carrier fringes are used with moiré interferometry for strain measurements are presented. Examples illustrate how moiré carrier fringes are applied to obtain the desired data in complex laminated composite specimens. In many cases, carrier fringes permit extraction of much more detailed information, with procedures that are easier and more accurate than those using loadinduced fringes alone. The fringe vector for carrier fringes is introduced and its application to the interpretation of fringe patterns is explained. In moiré interferometry, the carrier fringes are produced easily by adjustments of optical elements that control the virtual reference grating.