Exploring the key differences of 2D and 3D DIC
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Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a powerful technique for measuring and analysing material deformations stress, strain, and displacement. Depending on your testing requirements, either 2D vs 3D DIC (Stereo) methods may be used. Both methods have unique advantages, disadvantages, and best use cases. |
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2D |
3D |
| Description |
2D DIC captures image sequences with one camera to analyse planar (x, y) surface changes under load. The test piece must remain flat and perpendicular to the optical axis throughout the entire measurement. Any out-of-plane motion or misalignment introduces correlation errors.
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3D DIC uses synchronized cameras to capture image sequences and analyse 3D (x, y, z) surface changes under load. The test piece is viewed in two planes and stereo triangulation reconstructs the surface in 3D, with out-of-plane motions detected by angling the cameras toward the test piece. |
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| Advantages |
• Faster setup than 3D DIC
• More cost-efficient in hardware and software
• Lower hardware demands (uses a single camera)
• Highly precise if conditions are ideal (camera must be perpendicular to a planar surface as previously mentioned) |
• Greater accuracy in most applications
• Detects unexpected out-of-plane motions
• Captures complex shapes and measures object size |
| Disadvantages |
• Lower accuracy compared to 3D DIC
• Limited use due to errors from out-of-plane motion
• Small misalignments or out-of-plane shifts introduce measurement uncertainties
• Unable to capture complex shapes or measure object size |
• More complex setup for camera positioning, lighting, and calibration
• Higher hardware and software costs
• Greater hardware demands for storage and processing power |
| Example Applications |
• Testing thin materials like tensile specimens and sheet metals (uniaxial tensile or flexural testing)
• Crack testing (strain and propagation on specimen surface)
• Biaxial testing of biomedical soft tissues |
• Material testing – uniaxial testing with dog bone shaped specimen, testing of complex shaped specimen
• Crash/impact testing – car components, safety helmets
• Vibration analysis – ODS analysis for vibrating parts |
Typical applications where 2D DIC is insufficient in comparison with 3D DIC
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Measurement of complex shaped specimen (curved shapes, convex or concave specimen) – 2D DIC can not sufficiently capture out-of-plane deformation
- Large deformations – materials undergoing large deformations (malleable metals) typically show displacement in all three dimensions – 2D DIC can not capture displacement in all three axes
Summary
- 2D DIC is ideal for planar events with simple shapes and small deformations. Cost-effective and quick to set up for well-prepared scenes (provide accurate results when the camera is perpendicular to a deforming area that has to be planar).
- 3D DIC excels in capturing out-of-plane motion, large deformations, and complex shapes, offering unmatched accuracy and flexibility in challenging scenarios.
Need a price or more application information? Please
email Adept Turnkey or call our offices
Adept Turnkey Pty Ltd are "The Machine Vision and Imaging Specialists" and distributor
of Mercury DIC software in Australia and New Zealand. To find out more about Mercury DIC, please call Adept Turnkey at Perth (08) 9242 5411
/ Sydney (02) 9905 5551 / Melbourne (03) 9384 1775 or contact
us online. |
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