Structural Stress and Strain Analysis Using a 3D Scanner

The paper shows a way how a 3D scanner can be used in a combination with numerical simulations and corresponding analytical results to estimate deformations and stresses in a loaded structural element, such as beams, pipes, shafts, etc. To compare measurement results, a series of numerical simulations were performed for a test object, which was a short pipe that was loaded externally by a force obtained via a manual clamp, which was continuously measured via a force sensor. A general approach to measure strain via a 3D scanner at the object’s surface is explained. However, the surface strain is not sufficient without an analytical consideration to obtain the information what is really occurring inside a loaded structural element, regarding deformations and stresses. Finally, the simulation and the analytical results are compared with the real measurements that were used to calculate strain tensor components, which are used to calculate stress tensor components using the generalized Hooke’s law.