Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.

-210363

Lab – 2

Full-Field Stress Analysis Using Photoelasticity Method

Lab Objectives:

To estimate the fringe constant of a polycarbonate disc. To perform experimental stress

measurements on a polycarbonate beam subjected to four-point bending using photoelasticity.
To measure the normal stress variation across the cross-sectional area of a beam, and compare
the obtained data to the results predicted by beam theory.

Apparatus Used:

1. Monochromatic light
2. Beam Expander/Collimator and lenses
3. Polarizers
4. Quarter Wave Plates
5. Loading fixtures
6. White Sheets & DSLR Camera to view and capture the fringes
7. Specimen made of Polycarbonate (Disc & Beam)

Experimental Setup:

The figure shown below is a schematic representation of the Photoelasticity Experiment.

Fig: Experimental Setup

Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.-210363

Procedure:

The dimensions of the specimen needed for beam stress calculations (e.g. length of beam,
cross-sectional dimensions, precise locations of supports, exact locations of applied
concentrated loads, etc.) are to be measured.

a) Estimation of Fringe Constant:

1. The disc specimen is to be placed under diametrical loading.

Fig: Disc under diametrical loading

2. The source of monochromatic light is to be switched on and aligned so that it falls on
the mid-section of the specimen.
3. The disc specimen is to be tested by applying selected loads, and photoelastic fringe
patterns are captured using a DSLR camera (or by drawing).
In a circular disk subjected to diametrical compression, the stress distribution along the
y = 0 line (neutral axis) is given by

2𝑃 (𝐷2 − 4𝑥2)2
𝜎𝑥𝑥 = 𝜎1 = ×
𝜋𝐷ℎ (𝐷2 + 4𝑥2)2

−2𝑃 4𝐷4
𝜎𝑦𝑦 = 𝜎2 = ×( − 1)
𝜋𝐷ℎ (𝐷2 + 4𝑥2 )2

𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 0
Therefore,

8𝑃
𝐷4 − 4𝐷2𝑥2 𝑁𝑓𝜎
𝜎1 − 𝜎2 = × 2 =
𝜋𝐷ℎ (𝐷 + 4𝑥2)2 𝑏

The fringe constant (fσ) is calculated using the formula

8𝐹
𝐷4 − 4𝐷2𝑥2
𝑓𝜎 = ×
𝜋𝐷𝑁 (𝐷2 + 4𝑥2)2
(1)
Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.-210363

As shown in the figure below, diametrical loading results in a fringe pattern. For different loads,
the horizontal positions (x) of the fringes are found.

Fig: Fringe Pattern due to Disc under diametrical load

Load = 0kg Load = 1Kg

Load= 2Kg Load= 4Kg

Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.-210363

Table for fringe constant calculation:

Applie Fringe
Load (N) Scaled Location Fringe Constant
d Order
x (mm) fσ (N/m)
Load( N
F)
56.702 119.7 1 0.0061 6200.3

113.4 176.4 1 0.0076 6699.7

113.4 176.4 2 0.0021 7446.9

226.81 289.8 1 0.0096 6442.5

226.81 289.8 2 0.0062 7292.9

226.81 289.8 3 0.0033 7423.6

Average Fringe constant= 6917.6

N/m
Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.-210363

Stress field Measurement:

4. The beam specimen is to be placed and loaded in a symmetric four-point bend fixture.

Fig: Beam under Four-Point Bending Load

5. The beam specimen is to be tested by applying selected loads, and photoelastic fringe
patterns are captured using a DSLR camera (or by drawing). At each fringe location,
the experimental normal stress value is calculated by using the formula

𝑁𝑓𝜎
𝜎𝑥 = ±
𝑏
(2)
Here fσ is the mean of all fringe constants found previously.

6. The formula below is to be used to calculate the theoretical stress distribution over the
cross-sectional area of the beam and compare the results to the photoelastic
experimental measurements.

𝑀(𝑥)𝑦
𝜎𝑥(𝑥, 𝑦) =
𝐼
(3)

As shown in the figure above, each two-force member transfers a force of F/2 to the
polycarbonate beam. This results in a constant bending moment in the center region of the
beam (between the inner two forces) with a value of

𝐹𝑑
𝑀=
2
(4)

The theoretical stress distribution on any cross-sectional area in the center region of the beam
is given by:
𝑀𝑦 𝐹𝑑
𝜎𝑥(𝑦) = =[ ] 𝑦 = 𝐶𝑦
𝐼 2𝐼
(5)

where C is a constant that can be calculated. Utilizing the recorded photoelastic fringe pattern,
experimental values of stress σx can be calculated at various vertical positions (y).
Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.-210363

In the figure below, the red circle represents the area under observation and the yellow line
represents the neutral axis. The fringes near the neutral axis have fringe order N = 1,
symmetrically on both sides. The fringe order increases as the distance from the neutral axis
increases.

Fig: Fringe Pattern due to Loaded Beam

Note: The projected image is enlarged. Image size has to be related to the specimen size, and
measurements used in calculations must only be concerning the specimen size.

Table for Stress calculation:

Fringe Fringe σx σx
Percent
Order Location [Measured] [Predicted] Difference
N y' (mm) (N/m^2) (N/m^2)
1 2.61 754313.8 1220048.4 61.7%

2 6.32 1828252.1 2440096.7 33%

Table 2 for 4 kg

Chart Title
3000000

2500000

2000000

1500000

1000000

500000

0
[Measured] (N/m^2) [Predicted] (N/m^2)
Fringe Location y' (mm) σx σx

Series1 Series2
Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.-210363

Fringe Fringe σx σx
Percent
Order Location [Measured] [Predicted] Difference
N y' (mm) (N/m^2) (N/m^2)
1 2 706137.9 1220048.4 72.8%

2 5.3 1842098.8 2440096.7 32%

3 8.4 2916656.4 366015.1 25%

Table 3 for 6 Kg

Chart Title
5000000
4500000
4000000
3500000
3000000
2500000
2000000
1500000
1000000
500000
0
[Measured] (N/m^2) [Predicted] (N/m^2)
Fringe Location y' (mm) σx σx

Series2 Series3
Name-Diya Toliya Roll no.-210363

Results and Discussion:

The plot of σx vs. y should be made to graphically compare the theoretical and experimental
results. In the graph, use data points for your experimental measurements and a solid line for
your theoretical prediction as shown below. The percent errors in the experiment are to be
calculated and the possible reasons for the discrepancies are to be discussed.

x

Fig: Required Plot

Consider every load as a separate case and therefore there must be a ‘Table 2’ and a plot for
each load case.