Limitation of Fourier transform photoelasticity: Influence of isoclinics

The application of the Fourier transform to photoelasticity was used in the evaluation of the retardation using a carrier system of fringes. In photoelasticity, the light intensity from the analyzer in a circular polariscope depends on both the retardation (isochromatics) and the isoclinic parameter. The theoretical analysis shows that the angle between the principal stresses in the model and in the carrier system of fringes influences the evaluation of the retardation (isochromatics), as occurs when misaligned compensators (namely, Babinet) are used. As a consequence, this method may not be applied as a full-field technique, although the error is small if the angle between the principal stresses in the model and in the carrier is less than 25 deg. Numerical simulations and experimental tests were conducted to corroborate this prediction.