Mehmet Can ÇAPAR, 030070131 6th week definitions

Photoelasticity (experimental techniques)

(old answer)The method of photoelasticity is based on the physical behavior of transparent, noncrystalline, optically isotropic materials that exhibit optically anisotropic characteristics, referred to as temporary double refraction, while they are stressed. To observe and analyze these fringe patterns a device called a polariscope is used. Two kinds of polariscope are common, the plane polariscope and the circular polariscope.
( Frank Kreith, CRC Press Mechanical Engineering Handbook 1999, ch.1 pg.99)



(new answer) (better)
Photoelasticity is one of the major experimental techniques for analyzing stress os strain distributions in loaded members. Photo depicts the use of optical methods, and elasticity implies interpretation of the experimental data utilizing the theory of elasticity. However, by using models of transparent polymers, or through the technique of photoelastic coating, the applications have been extended to inelastically deforming bodies.


(A.S. Kobayashi, ed, Manuel of Engineering Stress Analysis, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall, 1982)