Mapping Multiple Components of the Stress Tensor Using the Contour Method

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a) application of the contour method in measuring residual stresses in large complex geometries such as a welded pipe, b) the power of combining the contour measurement approach with other measurement methods in order to map multiple components of stress tensor in structures, c) the capability of the contour method for characterising residual stresses where there are steep gradients of stress, for example in an electron beam welded plate, and d) mapping multiple components of residual stress in thick structures using multiple cuts.