Digital cameras are rapidly supplanting film, even for very high speed and ultra high-speed applications. The benefits of these cameras, particularly CMOS versions, are well appreciated. This paper describes how a pair of synchronized digital high-speed cameras can provide full-field dynamic deformation, shape and strain information, through a process known as 3D image correlation photogrammetry. The data is equivalent to thousands of non-contact x-y-z extensometers and strain rosettes, as well as instant non-contact CMM shape measurement. A typical data acquisition rate is 27,000 frames per second, with displacement accuracy on the order of 25-50 microns, and strain accuracy of 250-500 microstrain. High-speed 3D image correlation is being used extensively at the NASA Glenn Ballistic Impact Research Lab, in support of Return to Flight activities. This leading edge work is playing an important role in validating and iterating LSDYNA models of foam impact on reinforced carbon-carbon, including orbiter wing panel tests. The technique has also been applied to air blast effect studies and Kevlar ballistic impact testing. In these cases, full-field and time history analysis revealed the complexity of the dynamic buckling, including multiple lobes of out-of-plane and in-plane displacements, strain maxima shifts, and damping over time. | 
