Mechanical shape correlation: a novel integrated digital image correlation approach

Mechanical Shape Correlation (MSC) is a novel integrated digital image correlation technique, used to determine the optimal set of constitutive parameters to describe the experimentally observed mechanical behavior of a test specimen, based on digital images taken during the experiment. In contrast to regular digital image correlation techniques, where grayscale speckle patterns are correlated, the images used in MSC are projections of the sample contour. This enables the analysis of experiments for which this was previously not possible, because of restrictions due to the speckle pattern. For example, analysis becomes impossible if parts of the specimen move or rotate out of view as a result of complex and three-dimensional deformations and if the speckle pattern degrades due to large deformations. When correlating on the sample outline, these problems are overcome. However, it is necessary that the outline is large with respect to the structure volume and that its shape changes significantly upon deformation, to ensure sufficient sensitivity of the images to the model parameters. Virtual experiments concerning stretchable electronic interconnects, which because of their slender wire-like structure satisfy the conditions for MSC, are executed and yield accurate results in the objective model parameters. This is a promising result for the use of the MSC method for tests with stretchable electronics and other (micromechanical) experiments in general.