Electric strain gauge measurement of residual stress in welded panels

Abstract

The current paper describes a destructive, sectioning method for measuring residual stress in welded panels, using electric strain gauges. Since this method is carried out rather simply, it has a wide range of possible applications. For this reason, a more thorough analysis of the method is performed. The potential limits of its application are investigated, together with the parameters that can influence the obtained results. The sectioning method is verified by determining residual stress in welded panels numerically. The results show it is possible to estimate the residual stress field in a welded structure rapidly and accurately, by using reasonably priced equipment.