Quantitative microbolometer-based thermoelastic stress analysis

The use of microbolometers for Thermoelastic Stress Analysis (TSA) has the potential substantially reducing deployment costs, as well providing more compact and lightweight solutions in comparison to costly, bulky less rugged photon detector based infrared cameras. However, microbolometer performance terms response time sensitivity is than what can be achieved with detectors. As TSA becoming widespread, it timely devise a means assessing identifying limitations using such system TSA. A simulation approach devised that enables effect on transient signals (such from TSA) investigated. involves measuring small temperature change, usually induced by sinusoidal cyclic loading, also includes noisy non-sinusoidal signal. To identify any deleterious effects cause load, change generated an optical chopper black body source. variables studied are Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), impact different waveforms, variation signal mean, in-built features noise reduction. new experimentally validated calibration presented accounts rolling averages introduced inbuilt reduction features. It shown independent specimen material camera frame rates, demonstrated CFRP test containing hidden crack.