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Glite Dictionary
photoelasticity

photoelasticity

9.9
A way some materials change light when under stress to show weak points
  • noun
  • /ˌfoʊtoʊɪˈlæstɪsɪti/
  • Specialized
: fotoelasticidad
  • Engineers use photoelasticity to analyze stress patterns in mechanical components.

Examples

  • In her research, she applied photoelasticity to reveal the stress distribution in the bridge structure.

  • His current work in dynamic fracture includes the use of fiber-optical sensors, photoelasticity, and strain gauges in the study of the dynamic decohesion and failure of bimaterial interfaces and composites.

    Academic text (1996)

  • He has pioneered the use of dynamic photoelasticity in the study of dynamic deformation of granular media.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The scientist demonstrated photoelasticity to show how materials react under different loads.

Surface Forms

photoelasticity singular
photoelasticities plural

Morphology

photoelasticity = photoelastic (opaque) = photo + elastic + ity

The noun is formed regularly from the adjective 'photoelastic' with the suffix '-ity'.

Etymology

Photoelasticity comes from photo- meaning 'light', as in photograph, and elasticity meaning 'the ability to stretch', as in elastic. So photoelasticity is when a material changes how it lets light pass when it is under stress, and this lets engineers use light patterns to see where the material is stretched or weak.