Key aspects of digital image correlation in impact tests of reinforced concrete beams

Paper in proceeding, 2019

This paper studies 2-D high speed photography combined with digital image correlation (DIC) applied to experimental research of reinforced concrete beams at moderate loading rates. The aim of the present research is to understand the influence of 2-D DIC set-up parameters in the results. Drop-weight tests have been completed in 1180 × 100 × 100 mm longitudinally reinforced concrete beams. The study has confirmed results sensitivity to image subdivision and mesh properties. While smaller subdivision sizes allow to obtain results nearby boundaries, being more suitable to study local effects, larger sizes enhance computational cost, increase mesh stability and accuracy. A discussion of key aspects of 2-D DIC for measuring different parameters (such as acceleration, displacements, strains and strain-rate) is presented along this paper.