Holographic interferometry has been successfully employed to characterize the materials and behavior of diverse types of structures under stress. Such applications of holographic technique offer some of the most effective methods of modal and dynamic analysis available. The technology is non- destructive, real-time, and definitive in allowing the identification of vibrational modes, displacements, and motion geometry. Structures and processed materials can be analyzed with very low amplitude excitation and the resultant data can be used to adjust the accuracy of mathematically derived structural models. Holographic interferometry has offered a powerful tool to aid in the primary engineering and development of advanced complex composite materials. One such material is a graphite-epoxy fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite. This type of material is finding increased use in advanced aerodynamic, automotive, and other highly mobile platforms. Avionic and undersea applications especially, must consider environments where extremes in vibration and mechanical stresses can affect both operation and structural stability. These are ideal requisites for analysis using advanced holographic methods in the initial design and subsequent test of such advanced structures and materials. Specialized variations of holographic technology have also been applied to define dynamic and vibration related structural behavior. This has been particularly useful in characterizing dynamic parameters of advanced components composed of composite materials. Holographic methods are non- destructive, real-time, and definitive in allowing the identification of minute displacements, and motion geometries. Such effects are directly indicative of various types of induced mechanical, thermal, and acoustic structural stress related to hidden structural anomalies and defects. Such information is often crucial to the determination of mechanical configurations and designs as well as operational parameters of structures composed of advanced engineering materials.
|