1. Experimental Mechanics-overview
Module lectures:
Professor Janice Barton B
Professor Fabrice Pierron B
Professor Simon Quinn – B
Mr Peter Fuller Instron
Mr Alan Fulbrook Vishay
Dr Richard Burguete NPL
Ms Eszter Szigeti Airbus
Dr Dave Hollis LA Vision
Dr Duncan Crump
Dr Andy Robinson TSRL
Dr Lloyd Fletcher
Mr Vishnu Seelan

2. Experimental Mechanics-Introduction
Provide a brief overview of the module
Describe the module structure and organisation
Describe the assessment procedure
Describe the laboratory sessions
Notes and other materials will be available on the Blackboard site and on

3. What is experimental mechanics?
Investigation by experimental means of the mechanical behaviour of engineering systems subjected to load
System can be a structure, a material, soft matter such as human tissue, a fluid-structure coupling
Measurement system is used to capture a quantity that describes the system’s behaviour
Seek information on deformation and the mechanical strain
Experimental data required to validate numerical models
Derivation of failure parameters by deriving the stresses from the strains and derivation of material constitutive relationships

4. Aims and objectives
Provide an in-depth understanding of experimental mechanics approaches
Introduce students to testing procedures
Provide detailed knowledge of the application of point measurement techniques such as electrical resistance strain gauges.
Provide a detailed knowledge of modern full field techniques such as Thermoelastic Stress Analysis (TSA), Digital Image Correlation (DIC), Grid method.
Understand how the data from experimental techniques are manipulated to validate numerical models.
Understand the effect of data smoothing and how to apply smoothing approaches effectively

5. Timetable

6. Testing machine Base Screw actuators Crosshead Load cell Extensometer
Specimen
Grips

7. Stress-strain curve

8. Test machines Three categories based on load generation: Hydraulic
Mechanical
Electrodynamic
Control system for load and displacement application – usually a servo system
Detailed lecture from Peter Fuller of Instron on test machines

9. Electrical resistance strain gauges

10. Electrical Resistance Strain Gauges
Basic experimental mechanics sensor
Used in virtually every engineering application for measurement and monitoring purposes
Lecture from Anton Chitty of Vishay Precision Group Micro-Measurements

11. Full-field techniques for strain measurement
Full-field techniques describe a category of approaches where a field of data is collected as opposed to the single point reading extracted from a strain gauge. The techniques can be broadly divided into three categories:
White light techniques
Coherent light techniques
Infra-red techniques

12. Digital Image Correlation – Janice/Dave Hollis

13. Digital Image Correlation

14. Grid technique- Fabrice
Professor Fabrice Pierron
Unidirectional grid
Bidirectional grid
Unidirectional grid
pitch
Mean intensity
Contrast
Phase

15. Coherent light –ESPI- Fabrice

16. Photoelasticity- Richard Burguete
Dr Richard Burguete from NPL in application session

17. Infra-red techniques -Janice

18. Laboratory sessions
The details for each laboratory class are provided on a separate sheet.
During each laboratory session you will collect data using each of the techniques described.
The data will be uploaded to \\soton\ude\courses\SESG6031.
All software necessary for this module is also stored in the same space.
To access this space please put the link into windows explorer and you will be then asked for your Southampton user name and password. If accessing from a home PC through a VPN connection, you may be asked for your Southampton user name and password.
Full descriptions of the laboratory classes are provided in the separate hand-out.
The laboratory sessions are done in groups – Your group number (1-6) is on your badge and the attendance list.
A separate timetable for the laboratory sessions is provided.

19. Laboratory sessions

20. Test specimens

21. Brazilian Disc

22. Assignment (for those seeking credit)
A detailed analysis of the data collected in the laboratory classes will be carried out.
The mechanical properties of the aluminium alloy material that was tested is derived using the different experimental techniques.
The stresses and strains in the disc will be derived using each technique and the values from each technique compared.
The virtual fields method will be used extract the material properties from the data from the discs obtained using the white light techniques.
Full details of the assignment are given on a separate hand-out and in the wrap-up session at the end of the week.
The assignment is to be up loaded on the blackboard site and the file name should be firstname_lastname_EM. The deadline is Friday 11th May 2018

23. Certificate of attendance
All will receive a certificate of attendance
UoS Credit can be only be awarded if students are registered at Southampton.
This is open to all overseas students and EU nationals studying at a UK University after registering as a visiting student.
Tier 4 visa requirements means that non EU nationals domicile in the UK cannot register as a visiting student .
If you wish to register as a visiting student and receive credit – talk to me after the lecture – form filling is required!
Anyone wishing to receive feedback on the assignment is welcome to complete the assignment and and we will send comment and give an indicative mark.