Digital Twin based simulations for the evaluation of small-scale tensile specimen tests

In recent years, a data acquisition system has been built to perform tensile tests. The system is equipped with cameras that can capture the deformation evolution with high temporal resolution during the tests. Specimen dimensions are measured using a high accuracy coordinate measuring system, which provides a detailed coordinate map. Simultaneously, Finite Element models based on the Digital Twin concept have been developed to simulate tensile tests. This study examines whether applying measured geometric imperfections to a Finite Element model provides more reliable results than the investigation with conventional idealized geometric models. Three models are investigated: one with nominal dimensions, one with measured average dimensions, and one with the implementation of the measured coordinate map. Simulation results show that the model based on realistic initial geometry follows the measured results much more accurately than those based on idealized geometry.