Incremental Computation Technique for Residual Stress Calculations Using the Integral Method

The Integral Method for determining residual stresses involves making surface deformation measurements within a sequence of small increments of material removal depth. Typically, the associated matrix equation for solving the residual stresses within each depth increment is ill-conditioned. The resulting error sensitivity of the residual stress evaluation makes it essential that data measurement errors are minimized and that the residual stress solution method be as stable as possible. These two issues are addressed in this paper. The proposed method involves using incremental deformation data instead of the total deformation data that are conventionally used. The technique is illustrated using an example ESPI hole-drilling measurement.