Experimental Stress Analysis

Composite duct instrumented with strain gauges.

The Structures and Materials Evaluation group evaluates the durability of materials and manufactured components. Our work sometimes requires experimental stress analysis, in which we:

• Determine strains and related stresses in components and products under various service loading conditions, both in the lab and in the field.
• Utilize extensive experience in the installation of strain gages on components with complex geometries and various materials.
• Use strain gages, accelerometers, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, an infared camera, and photo-elastic stress materials. 
• Locate and quantify areas of high stress concentration using data collected from the instrumentation.
• Back up experimental investigations with analytical structural analysis accomplished with finite element modeling.
• Recent work includes:
  bicycle frames
  forklift weldments
  horse racing sulkies
  aircraft structures
  automotive components

Most of this work is carried out in the Structural Test Laboratory, and is supported by other facilities and divisions in the Research Institute such as the Metallography Lab, the Surface Analysis Lab, the Composites Lab, the Electronics Lab, and the Aerospace Mechanics division.