Cyclic-stress studies by time-averaged photoelasticity

This paper describes an experimental method whereby the amplitude of cyclic stresses may be readily determined by time-averaged photoelasticity. Using an ordinary polariscope with a monochromatic-light source, ‘time-averaged isochromatics fringes’ are formed if the photographic film in the camera is exposed with an exposure time equal to one or several periods while the photoelastic model is undergoing steady-state cyclic loading. The fringe pattern depicts amplitudes of the oscillating stresses according to the zeroth-order Bessel function. These properties permit the determination of a time-averaged cyclic stress-optic law. It is also possible to use the method to determine time-averaged isoclinics. The method has great potentiality in the study of in-plane vibrations.