Experimental mechanics is a branch of engineering mechanics used to solve engineering problems using measurements and can be defined as the study of the mechanical behavior of an object subjected to load or excitation by conducting experiments. It is a link between theoretical and applied mechanics. It is the oldest and most important field in solid mechanics and fluid mechanics, and its importance is constantly growing. The application of experimental mechanics requires the intertwining of various fields, such as general physics, optics, electronics, computational mathematics, and computer science, without which its application is impossible.
Great efforts are invested in solving advanced engineering problems, using innovative engineering knowledge and experimental methods of wide practical application. At the same time, we take into account that everything is properly prepared and organized so that experimental engineers can conduct experiments more efficiently. If we did not approach the problem in this way, the resulting know-how would be ineffective and unusable. In the various areas of research and development where practical problems are solved using experimental mechanics, development engineers work closely together and collaborate with experimental engineers so that scientific and technical knowledge and experience exchange is realized quickly and efficiently for mutual benefit. This requires that theoretical and practical knowledge, ideas and experience are systematically unified in order to enhance the practical acceptance of research effectiveness.
In addition to measuring mechanical quantities, experimental mechanics includes:
- Experimental design;
- Creation of engineering control models and preliminary analysis of the system under study, i.e., measured, to evaluate the measured values;
- Development of measurement methods and techniques;
- Design, construction and technological development of measuring systems;
- Processing of the obtained data;
- Mathematical formulation and analysis of the system under study based on measurement results.
The object of testing can be a structure or structure, mechanical system, phenomenon, problem, material sample…
Measured mechanical quantities traditionally associated with experimental mechanics are: deformations, which can function as a basis for determining stresses or loads (forces, torques); accelerations, velocities, displacements, angles, etc. In addition to the usual quantities, any appearance relevant to the object in question can be measured or recorded by means of photography or video to more effectively determine the real state by experimental methods, and knowledge of this real state can later contribute to a clearer description, i.e., a mathematical formulation of the phenomenon.
Experimental mechanics is used for:
- Solving engineering problems when numerical procedures cannot provide reliable answers;
- Validation of analytical and numerical engineering models (verification of boundary conditions and basic parameters);
- Determination of real loads / stress states of the object – forces, displacements, deformations / stresses;
- Determination of the real dynamic behavior of the system under operating conditions – vibration;
- Generation of input data for engineering models.