Separation of principal stresses in dynamic photoelasticity

A new and effective method used to separate the transient principal stresses for dynamic photoelasticity is proposed. This is a hybrid method combining the optical method of dynamic caustics and the boundary element numerical method. Firstly, a modified Cranz-Schardin spark camera is used to record simultaneously the isochromatic fringe patterns of photoelasticity and the shadow spot patterns in the dynamic process. By means of the isochromatic fringe patterns, the difference between transient principal stresses in the whole domain and the principal stresses along the free boundary can be solved. In addition, the method of caustics is a very powerful technique for measuring the concentrative load. Then, the sum of the principal stresses is calculated by the boundary integral equation obtained from the Laplace integral transform of the wave equation. So, the transient principal stresses can be determined from the experimental and numerical results. As an example, the transient principal stresses in a polycarbonate disk under an impact load are resolved. Concurrently published in the Chinese Edition of Acta Mechanica Sinica, Vol. 26, No. 1, 1994