Improving the photoelasticity experimental technique

Abstract

The project delves into the phenomenon of photoelasticity, which is an engineering technique that uses a reflective polariscope instrumentations to conduct experiments where light is pointed at a surface to reveal the stresses in the material. Initially, to validate the instrument capability, the technique was compared to calculations done with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) through benchmark problems, showcasing reliability and applicability. Furthermore, the reflective coating used for the testing was investigated. Therefore, the selection of coating materials and adhesives through experimentation is compared to other existing coatings and FEA results. In addition, for calibration purposes of the new coating, a three-point bending test is conducted on a 6082 aluminium alloy flat bar to be within standards. Once the performance and limitations of the new coating was established, a practical application of the photoelasticity method was implemented through the design and build of an experimental rig to analyse stresses in a gear tooth mesh setup. Through meticulous experimentation, verification, and documentation, this study advances our understanding of photoelasticity.