Obtaining multiaxial residual stress distributions from limited measurements

Knowledge of the complete multiaxial residual stress distribution in engineering components is essential for assessing their integrity. Often, however, only limited measurements are made. Here, an analysis is presented for determining the multiaxial distribution from a limited set of measurements. These measurements are used with an assumed plastic strain distribution. Residual stress measurements were made on hot forged and shot blasted steel bars using X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques. The residual stresses were measured on the surface and at selected interior points of the specimens. The predicted multiaxial distributions were compared with experimental measurements obtained using an incremental hole drilling technique developed for components with curved surfaces. Agreement between measurements and predictions was found only if the elastic results from hole-drilling were corrected for plastic strain.