Digital Image Correlation (DIC) plays a growing role in (not restricted to) destructive characterization of structural materials. The advantage lies in the possibility of visualizing large areas for occurring deformations and strains of the object of interest under different loading conditions. This non-contact metrology is applicable to almost every material class, making its applicability almost infinite. It is not only used for the determination of material properties or for quality testing in manufacturing but also for test inspection. The seminar describes theory and application of Digital Image Correlation for selected standardized and common state-of-the-art tests, for the mechanical characterization of structural materials under common loading conditions. The purpose of this seminar is to provide good practice guidelines for setting up and conducting Digital Image Correlation measurements in conjunction with mechanical testing of test specimens in general-purpose laboratory conditions. In order to obtain accurate and representative material data, it is important being minute and careful when planning, performing, and evaluating experiments. Many inherent difficulties of tensile, shear, flexure, and fracture testing are addressed where pertinent measurement issues are visualized with DIC. The more you see, the less you can hide. Digital Image Correlation offers a new look at old problems of structural mechanics, presenting a detailed insight into mechanical testing of materials, which cannot be covered by point measurements.
This is an introduction to the seminar program and a presentation of the speakers:
The training begins with an introduction to the theory of Digital Image Correlation (DIC), covering its underlying physical principles and common methods. Participants will learn how DIC works, including the fundamentals of digital image processing and the use of grey level images for accurate displacement and strain measurements. The session will also introduce both 2D and stereo DIC techniques, highlighting their differences and use cases. Additionally, the importance of calibration procedures will be discussed to ensure measurement accuracy and reliable data interpretation in practical setups.
This part of the seminar provides participants insights into how to work with DIC systems effectively. This includes setting up and operating the equipment, selecting appropriate lenses and cameras, and understanding their influence on image quality and measurement accuracy. The session explores a broad range of applications in experimental mechanics and materials testing, demonstrating how DIC can be applied to analyze deformation, strain distribution, and crack propagation under various conditions. Participants will learn how to adapt DIC techniques to suit each experimental setup.
Effective use of DIC begins with proper preparation of the setup and test specimens. This includes careful alignment of cameras, lighting considerations, and the selection of suitable lenses to optimize image capture. A critical aspect is the application of appropriate patterning techniques, such as speckle patterns, which directly influence the accuracy and resolution of the measurements. Participants will learn how to evaluate and quantify pattern quality to ensure reliable data. The session also covers uncertainty measurement, helping users understand the limitations of their setup and how to minimize errors. Finally, guidance will be provided on the choice of DIC settings, such as subset size, step size, and filtering parameters, all of which play a crucial role in the precision and robustness of the results.
The application of DIC in tensile testing provides a full-field analysis of strain distribution and local deformations. This session covers the complete testing setup using stereo-DIC, including camera positioning, lighting, and calibration procedures. Emphasis is placed on specimen preparation and high-quality patterning, which are essential for accurate strain measurements. Participants will learn how to conduct testing analysis and apply data reduction schemes to extract key mechanical properties such as modulus, and strain at failure directly from DIC data. The course also addresses sensitivity and uncertainty studies, providing insights into how variations in DIC settings and experimental conditions can impact the reliability of the results. Special focus is given to strain concentration phenomena, such as those occurring during necking, and how these are influenced by DIC parameters like subset, step, and window size, ensuring a deeper, engineering-based understanding of material behavior and measurement accuracy.
The use of DIC in bending tests enables detailed visualization of deformations and accurate determination of bending properties in materials. Special attention is given to patterning across small thicknesses, which is critical for capturing precise strain measurements in thin specimens. The session also highlights common mistakes during flexural testing, such as improper specimen alignment or inadequate support conditions, and discusses how these can affect DIC results and overall test accuracy.
Notched specimen testing with DIC allows detailed analysis of strain concentrations near notches, providing critical information about local deformation behavior. The accuracy of these measurements is influenced by DIC settings such as subset step and window size, which affect the resolution and reliability of strain data in highly localized regions.
Fracture testing using DIC enables detailed investigation of deformation and strain fields around cracks in precracked specimens. This approach provides valuable insights into crack propagation and local material behavior, with measurement accuracy depending on factors such as DIC settings and specimen preparation. This session covers the complete testing setup using 2D-DIC, including camera positioning, lighting, and calibration procedures.
Digital Image Correlation (DIC) provides the unique ability to visualize deformation and strain over large areas of structural materials, enabling a critical understanding of material behavior under various loading conditions.
Here are the key reasons why this course will benefit your company:
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Missing, incorrect or insufficient calibration leads to systematic measurement deviations that are often not immediately visible. A one-time calibration without validation can introduce persistent bias into your data.
What you gain: You learn how to select, calibrate, and validate camera systems properly to ensure reliable strain measurements.
Inappropriate lens selection regarding focal length, distortion, or depth of field can significantly reduce achievable accuracy. Resolution alone does not define measurement quality.
What you gain: You understand how to dimension lenses according to field of view and accuracy requirements and how optics influence uncertainty.
Speckle patterns that are poorly dimensioned in size, contrast, or randomness reduce correlation quality and increase noise. Arbitrary application leads to unstable results.
What you gain: You learn how to design speckle patterns systematically and match them to subset size and optical setup. Doing so allows you to track strain more effectively.
Subset and step size selection directly influence spatial resolution and noise sensitivity. Poor parameter choices distort strain fields and reduce reproducibility.
What you gain: You learn to select DIC parameters based on physical reasoning and measurement objectives.
Unstable illumination increases image noise. Out-of-plane motion and underestimated boundary conditions introduce systematic errors.
What you gain: You learn how to stabilize lighting conditions and assess mechanical boundary effects to reduce measurement uncertainty.
Incorrect DIC data can lead to repeated test series, development delays, wrong component evaluation, overdesign, or false safety margins.
What you gain: You reduce uncertainty, increase reproducibility, and create a reliable basis for development, validation, and product release decisions.
The training course is best suited for:
The book "Mechanical Characterization Using Digital Image Correlation - Advanced Fibrous Composite Laminates" by Dr.-Ing. Matthias Merzkirch will be used as training documents. The e-book is included in the participation fee and will be provided digitally to the participants in advance
If requested, participants can obtain the hardcover version at a discounted price. This will not be included in the participation fee.
Online participation takes place via the DGM's browser-based conference platform. For access, we recommend the latest browser versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge. Registered participants will receive all access information in advance by e-mail. For an optimal user experience, we also recommend installing the latest software version of ZOOM on your device.
The platform will be activated one day before the event. Log in to the conference platform with your DGM user account. If you have forgotten your access password, you can generate a new one via "Forgot password". The event will be recorded and will be available as a video in the same place for up to two weeks afterwards.
The video explaining the DGM conference platformshows you all the available functions.
Please note that all times are given in Central European time (CET).
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