The measurement of the distribution of residual stresses through the thickness of a welded joint

A new method for the measurement of residual stresses in welded joints of complex cross section is described. The method involves the measurement of strain changes in the body as a narrow slot is cut in the plane of interest, in small increments of depth. A finite element model of the cross section is used to relate the strain changes at the measurement points to the residual stresses across the slot plane.
The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by using it to measure a known residual stress field in a cold bent bar. The method has been used in combination with a block removal technique to measure the through wall distribution of axial residual stresses at a circumferential butt weld in a cylinder with a protruding root bead. It could also be applied to the measurement of residual stresses in other joint configurations, such as fillet welds or T-butt welds.