Using text as a native speckle pattern in digital image correlation

In certain applications, native surface patterns can be used in place of speckle patterns in digital image correlation (DIC). This paper explores the feasibility of using text as a native speckle pattern in DIC. Five text speckle patterns are tested in three different scenarios: a rigid body translation test, a rigid body rotation test, and an out of plane bending test. The patterns are benchmarked against a sixth, random speckle pattern applied using traditional DIC speckling methods. Rigid body translation tests are additionally performed on text patterns with varying font types and line spacings. In general, text patterns have good contrast, but low density as line spacing increases. Measurement uncertainty for the text patterns was comparable to measurement uncertainty in the random speckle pattern. Results from these tests show that while text patterns cannot be expected to perform better than a traditional DIC speckle pattern, text patterns can be effective speckle patterns in situations where already present on a specimen and applying a traditional speckle pattern is difficult.