An in situ simultaneous measurement system combining photoelasticity and caustics methods for blast-induced dynamic fracture.

Photoelasticity and caustics methods are extensively used in the history of dynamic fracture mechanics. However, there is little work for the combination of them in the same experiment associated with high loading rate in extreme conditions. In the present work, it is the first time to build a simultaneous measurement system which can use photoelasticity and caustics methods at the same instant for in situ optical investigations of blast-induced dynamic fracture. To illustrate the capability of this system, an explosion experiment using a 2D epoxy plate is conducted, yielding consistent results between two methods. This novel system provides rich experimental data including local-field information for the crack tip and full-field information for blasting waves.