Interferometric Determination of Curvatures of Flexed Plate

Abstract

Two interferometric techniques are proposed that can readily be applied to the measurement of stresses in thin plates. A point-by-point method is presented that allows the analyst to determine either absolute or relative curvatures and twists of thin plates. A full-field method is presented that will determine the absolute curvatures and twists of thin plates. Experiments have been performed that indicate that the methods do provide a simple and accurate means for determining the curvatures and twists of thin plates.