Investigation of Composite Materials Using Digital Volume Correlation

Composites are growing at a rapid pace for its use in industry such as automobiles because of its high strength to weight ratio and better damage tolerance than traditional materials. The composite structure is non-homogenous and anisotropic. The mechanical behavior of the microstructure is complex under loading. The traditional measurement technique such as strain gauge and extensometer provide limited information. Therefore, to understand the internal structure under loading conditions, there is a need for full field internal displacement and strain field. Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) is a measurement technique which generates a 3D displacement and strain field for the sample under loading. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) and hybrid braided composites has limited research to understand the microstructure behavior non-destructively. Therefore, thesis will explore the application of DVC on FFF and Hybrid braided composites under tensile loading.