Construction of complex photoelastic models using thin molded-epoxy sheets

The construction and analysis of complex thin-shell photoelastic models are discussed. Examples of both two- and three-dimensional applications are presented. The first example concerns an investigation of the structural supports of a new and unique blastfurnace design. The second example is directly related to the design and analysis of complex thin-shell pressure vessels and manifolds. Existing laboratory techniques were used successfully to construct the photoelastic models. The construction method is basically an extension of the techniques previously associated with the contour-sheet method of preparing photoelastic coatings. As such, it does not involve new or untried concepts, but rather it extends the existing in-house capabilities of many laboratories.