Quantitative stress analysis based on the measured trace of the stress tensor

Abstract

An effective method is developed for determining the individual stresses from the trace of the stress tensor (isopachics) in a region adjacent to an arbitrarily-shaped traction-free boundary of a loaded component. The approach is facilitated by the fact that the stresses throughout such a region can be described completely in terms of only one complex potential. Equilibrium and compatibility prevail within the region, and the traction-free boundary conditions are satisfied. The concept is expected to be particularly useful for thermoelastic stress analysis.