Elastic follow-up and relaxation of residual stresses

Abstract

A series of experiments were undertaken using a multiple bar assembly to measure elastic follow-up and relaxation of an initial residual stress. A test rig was designed to permit different levels of elastic follow-up to occur. The general features of the experimental results confirmed predictions provided by simple models. The most reliable measure of elastic follow-up was obtained by measuring the relaxation of the initial residual stress. The rate of relaxation of the residual stress is found to be proportional to the elastic follow-up factor.