Integrated Photoelasticity for Axisymmetric Thermal Stress Measurement Using the Stress Function

By investigating axisymmetric stress fields with integrated photoelasticity, the stress components σ_z and σ_rz can be determined directly from the experimental data. Stress components σ_r and σ_θ are usually determined using the equilibrium and compatibility equations. In this article it is shown that the stress function for an axisymmetric thermoelastic stress field can be determined on the basis of experimental data, obtained with integrated photoelasticity. Knowledge of the stress function permits one to calculate all the stress components as well as the temperature field in the test object.