Application of LEFM in slitting method for measuring residual stresses

Almost all of the manufacturing processes can result in the creation of residual stresses within the parts. Presence of residual stresses may cause to failure of the engineering components before their designed life cycle. Therefore, measurement of theses stresses is of importance. Slitting is one of the destructive methods for measuring residual stresses which is based on introducing a slot of an increasing depth in the specimen and measuring the released strains. The present research includes interpretation of data in measuring residual stresses using the LEFM (linear elastic fracture mechanic) method along two orthogonal directions of beam shape specimens made of 316L stainless steel. The results were then compared to those determined using the compliance method, which is an alternative method to deal with the data in the slitting method. Reasonable agreements were observed between the results.