Stresses analysis through digital photoelasticity and infrared thermography in an epoxy sample affected by cyclic loads: a cost-effective proposal

Fatigue tests impose experimental conditions that are difficult to achieve, and require using highly specialized equipment. We propose an inexpensive and easy to implement approach, to evaluate fatigue caused by cyclic loading. The approach includes a custom-built assembly and a modified jigsaw. The later impacts a circular plate of epoxy resin repeatedly, which produces their cyclic loading. After evaluating the plate with different loading frequencies, we found a direct relation between photoelasticity fringes and temperature at the plate geometry, despite experiencing some difficulties when obtaining photoelasticity data due to high loading frequencies and stress saturation of the samples. This approach also provides an integration tool between photoelasticity and infrared thermography for experimental stress analysis related to fatigue.