Three-dimensional stress-strain curve estimation and visualization using ultrasound and the Ramberg-Osgood model: A nondestructive approach to material characterization

Abstract

Stress-strain (SS) curves are essential for understanding material properties, such as yield and ultimate tensile strength. However, traditional destructive tensile testing has constraints in terms of material reusability and the detection of local behavioral changes. This study proposes two novel techniques: (1) nondestructive SS curve estimation using ultrasound and (2) 3D visualization of SS curves, termed the '3D SS curved surface'. We predicted the local SS curves using the Ramberg-Osgood model by deriving the key input parameters from automated ultrasonic measurements. Consequently, a 3D SS curved surface was constructed by combining multiple SS curves estimated from each local area through ultrasonic scanning and by introducing the scanning direction as the third axis in addition to the stress and strain axes. The experimental 3D SS curved surfaces of the locally damaged samples indicated novel observations that were undetectable using conventional tensile testing. The proposed techniques show significant potential for applications in materials science, engineering, manufacturing, and reliability assessment.