MEASUREMENT OF RESIDUAL-STRESSES IN A CIRCULAR RING USING THE SUCCESSIVE CRACKING METHOD

A method which we describe as the ''successive cracking method'' for m easuring residual stresses in a circular ring is presented. In this me thod the residual stresses are evaluated using a fracture mechanics ap proach. The strains measured at a point on the outer edge of the ring as a crack is introduced and extended from the edge are used to deduce the residual stress distribution in the uncracked ring. Finite elemen t analysis is carried out to examine the validity of the theoretical d erivation. Experiments to measure the residual stresses in a steel rin g specimen are done by the successive cracking method. For comparison purposes, the experimental results using the sectioning method are pre sented as well. The successive cracking method is shown to be valid, s imple, and effective for measuring the two-dimensional residual stress distribution in an axisymmetric member.