Digital Image Correlation

Strain and displacement are critical parameters within engineering and construction projects. However, measuring these parameters outside of the lab requires a difficult choice between conventional techniques, as accuracy, simplicity and cost must all be balanced. Digital Imaging Correlation (DIC) is a technique which may prove to be ideally suited for the study of crack propagation and material deformation in real-world applications, as it has the potential to become a cheap, simple yet accurate solution. This is the motivation for perfecting the technique for researchers based at the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL). NPL is also expanding its use into challenging areas, such as enabling DIC to be used over a period of time without the need for a permanent set up, or in hard-to-reach areas via small unmanned helicopters carrying camera and relocation equipment.