Residual-stress measurement by the sectioning method

The measurement of residual stresses by the sectioning method has been used for decades to measure residual stresses in structural members. This method has proven itself adequate, accurate and economical if proper care is taken in the preparation of the specimen and the procedure of measurement. However, a standard procedure to carry out such measurement does not exist in the published literature. In this paper, a detailed description is presented on the procedure of testing, preparation of specimen, the required tools and measuring devices and working conditions.For a specific comparison of results, measurements of residual stresses were performed on a specimen having a uniform residual-stress distribution along its length. On the same specimen, two different hole-drilling methods were also performed to investigate application and comparison of different methods. Other methods of residual-stress measurement which may be of general interest are discussed in brief.