Measurement of mixed-mode crack profiles by holographic interferometry

Holographic interferometry was used to study the mixed-mode fracture characteristics of mortar. The nature of crack propagation in such quasibrittle materials and the theoretical model used to interpret the experimental results indicated that a highly sensitive measurement technique was required. The gradual curvature of the propagating crack at different sections of the specimen necessitated full-field observation capability. The nature of the problem made holographic interferometry the ideal technique for this application. To measure the in-plane components of the opening and sliding of the crack surfaces during propagation, a single holographic plate was placed very close to the specimen. This allowed four independent observations of any point on the specimen from the four corners of the plate without any need for additional optics of exposures. Double-exposure holograms were made at different crack-propagation stages. The developed plate was illuminated by an unexpanded reference beam to form a real image of the object and observe displacement fringes. Fringe data were interpreted by using computer software written for this research.