Experimental Methods in Eng. Mechanics: Overview and Applications

This lecture provides an overview of experimental methods in engineering mechanics, focusing on key measurement problems related to material kinematics and forces. It covers techniques for measuring strain, deformation, velocity, and flow in solid materials and fluids, as well as full-field deformation measurements and Lagrangian tracking. Additionally, it explores the groundbreaking measurement of gravitational waves using interferometry and the precision of strain gauges. The lecture also delves into measuring forces across different scales, including nanoindenters, AFMs, and dynamic force testing. Lastly, it discusses materials characterization through the combination of force and displacement measurements, highlighting the importance of understanding material instabilities.