Adaptation of DIC technique for simplified applications in experimental mechanics

Abstract The literature and practical application of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) present sophisticated methodologies and algorithms that through a correlation between image data, capture complex strains and deformation fields. However, its application requires extensive surface preparations, careful calibrations, high computational capabilities, and in some cases is still susceptible to errors. Through two experimental campaigns, this paper presents an adaptation of the 2D Digital Image Correlation (2D-DIC) technique, where instead of a speckle pattern to derive full-field deformation data, markers with high contrast features are adopted to extract point-wise strains. The primary goal of this adaptation is to define an approachable methodology for researchers without any background in DIC or image analysis and offer an additional tool set for experimental campaigns.