Validation of digital image correlation technique for impact loading applications

Traditionally, many contact sensors have been employed to collect data during an impact test. Often to select the appropriate data acquisition equipments and sensors, prior knowledge of the magnitude of the peak crushing parameters and the duration of the crash event is important. However, this is not an easy task. Any improper selection would lead to loss of sensors and equipments. So a contact-less method is an interesting alternative to collect the data during such dynamic events. In this paper, we propose the Digital linage Correlation technique (DIC) for measuring impact parameters such as deformation-time history of test specimen, impact velocity and the corresponding impact force. To validate this method an axial impact test has been carried out with different test specimens such as recyclable empty beverage cans, circular glass plates and polyurethane foams. Finally the DIC derived results are compared with the signals which were measured by using sensors. The commercially available code Vic-2D was used for carrying out DIC calculations.