An analytic separation method for photoelasticity

A method for separating principal stresses in photoelasticity is presented. This method is based upon the series solution of Laplace's equation and the determination of the unknown coefficients arising in this series by a least-squares numerical technique. By selecting an adequate number of terms in the series, the representation of the boundary values of the first stress invariant can be established as accurately as the initial photoelastic data. This form of representation of the first stress invariant at interior points in the region is moe accurate than the boundary values employed.