Stress Concentration in Acrylic Under Polarized Light

Loading an acrylic specimen under polarized light gives a unique opportunity to view internal stress. In this video a 2 x 3 cm specimen was given an internal crack, surface crack, various holes, a slot cut with a saw, and a nick from a sharp chisel.

The bright spots correspond to high localized stress where a crack will begin. The dark spots are areas under no stress.

good info: http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/photoelasticity/index.php

Category:

Education

Tags:

• acrylic
• strain