Digital image correlation (DIC) for measuring strain in brick masonry specimen using Ncorr open source 2D MATLAB program

This micro-article is focused on the application of DIC in measuring strain for a 2D structural element like brick masonry specimen. Conventional techniques of strain measurements involve devices like strain gauges, LVDTs, dial gauges and extensometers. Even though Commercial DIC packages are available and have been widely used to perform DIC, these setups are quite expensive. In this study a simple DSLR camera along with Ncorr, an open source 2D MATLAB program is used to perform the DIC. Results have also been obtained experimentally by using conventional measuring devices and compared with that of DIC. The results obtained through DIC is well in agreement with that of experiments, and the difference in strain at failure was observed to be 4.7%. Furthermore, the results of this study should encourage researchers to adopt this technique in studies of behaviour and structural health monitoring of brick masonry specimens.