Measuring Inaccessible Residual Stresses Using Multiple Methods and Superposition

The traditional contour method maps a single component of residual stress by cutting a body carefully in two and measuring the contour of the cut surface. The cut also exposes previously inaccessible regions of the body to residual stress measurement using a variety of other techniques, but the stresses have been changed by the relaxation after cutting. In this paper, it is shown that superposition of stresses measured post-cutting with results from the contour method analysis can determine the original (pre-cut) residual stresses. The general superposition theory using Bueckner’s principle is developed and limitations are discussed. The procedure is experimentally demonstrated by determining the triaxial residual stress state on a cross section plane. The 2024- T351 aluminum alloy test specimen was a disk plastically indented to produce multiaxial residual stresses. After cutting the disk in half, the stresses on the cut surface of one half were determined with X-ray diffraction and with hole drilling on the other half. To determine the original residual stresses, the measured surface stresses were superimposed with the change stress calculated by the contour method. Within uncertainty, the results agreed with neutron diffraction measurements taken on an uncut disk

Stochastic Characterization of Cast Metal Microstructure

The major goal of this work is to provide a means to characterize the final structure of a metal that has solidified from a melt. The thermally controlled solidification of a binary alloy, nucleated at isolated sites, is described by the evolution of a probability distribution function (PDF). The relevant equation required for propagating the PDF is developed with variables for grain size and distance to nearest neighbor. The phenomena of nucleation, growth, and impingement of the grains are discussed, and used as the basis for developing rate equations that evolve the PDF. The complementary equations describing global heat and solute transfer are discussed, and coupled with the microstructure evolution equations for grain growth and PDF evolution. The full set of equations is solved numerically and results are compared with experimental data for the plutonium 1 weight percent gallium system. The three principal results of this work are: (1) The formulation of transient evolution equations for the PDF description of nucleation, growth, and impingement of a distribution of grain sizes and locations; (2) Solution of the equations to give a correlation for final average grain size as a function of material parameters, nucleation site density, and cooling rate; and (3) Solution of the equations for final distribution of grain size as a result of the initial random spatial distribution of nucleation sites

Beyond the Streetlight Effect: A United Future for Relaxation and Diffraction Methods for Residual Stress Measurement

Abstract. Residual stress measurement techniques can be categorized as either relaxation or diffraction methods. Practitioners often advocate a particular category and sometimes a specific technique (hole drilling, contour, XRD, neutron, etc) based on their experience or capability rather than using the best technique for the particular application. This paper considers some of the implications from applying this "drunkard's search" or "streetlight" approach by examining examples where the critical stress could be hidden from both relaxation and diffraction measurements. A better approach to planning residual stress measurements would begin with a detailed consideration of why the stresses should be measured and how the results will be used. Only then can the most appropriate measurement plan be developed. Since a single measurement technique cannot reveal the full state of stress, especially in challenging parts, the use of multiple measurement types often provides the most useful information to customers

Beyond the Streetlight Effect: A United Future for Relaxation and Diffraction Methods for Residual Stress Measurement

Abstract. Residual stress measurement techniques can be categorized as either relaxation or diffraction methods. Practitioners often advocate a particular category and sometimes a specific technique (hole drilling, contour, XRD, neutron, etc) based on their experience or capability rather than using the best technique for the particular application. This paper considers some of the implications from applying this "drunkard's search" or "streetlight" approach by examining examples where the critical stress could be hidden from both relaxation and diffraction measurements. A better approach to planning residual stress measurements would begin with a detailed consideration of why the stresses should be measured and how the results will be used. Only then can the most appropriate measurement plan be developed. Since a single measurement technique cannot reveal the full state of stress, especially in challenging parts, the use of multiple measurement types often provides the most useful information to customers

The Pain and Health Characteristics of Skin Injecting Opioid Users

Some opioid users are known to have a high prevalence of chronic pain as well as other physical and mental health problems. However, data remain limited on the pain experience of active skin injecting opioid users. The aims of this descriptive study were twofold: (1) to examine the overall prevalence of moderate to severe chronic pain (MSCP) as well as other health and pain characteristics of skin injecting opioid users who seek hospital care for treatment of a painful skin abscess related to injecting drugs, and; (2) to identify potential predictors of MSCP, including demographics, acute pain intensity, physical and mental health, and pain treatment characteristics. An urban sample of 91 adult English speaking patients was interviewed in an abscess treatment clinic at a large medical university. MSCP was defined as pain that was experienced within the last week, had persisted for more than 6 months, and was of moderate to severe intensity or interference. Any chronic pain within the last week was reported by 73% of patients and MSCP by 67%. Fifty-percent of all patients reported psychiatric diseases, including depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. There were no characteristics under study that significantly predicted MSCP in this sample. However, this sample of skin-injecting opioid users was found to report extremely high rates of moderate to severe chronic pain as well as high levels of physical and psychiatric disease. Future research is warranted to investigate approaches aimed at achieving optimal, safe pain relief for this very vulnerable population

Stochastic Characterization of Cast Metal Microstructure

The major goal of this work is to provide a means to characterize the final structure of a metal that has solidified from a melt. The thermally controlled solidification of a binary alloy, nucleated at isolated sites, is described by the evolution of a probability distribution function (PDF). The relevant equation required for propagating the PDF is developed with variables for grain size and distance to nearest neighbor. The phenomena of nucleation, growth, and impingement of the grains are discussed, and used as the basis for developing rate equations that evolve the PDF. The complementary equations describing global heat and solute transfer are discussed, and coupled with the microstructure evolution equations for grain growth and PDF evolution. The full set of equations is solved numerically and results are compared with experimental data for the plutonium 1 weight percent gallium system. The three principal results of this work are: (1) The formulation of transient evolution equations for the PDF description of nucleation, growth, and impingement of a distribution of grain sizes and locations; (2) Solution of the equations to give a correlation for final average grain size as a function of material parameters, nucleation site density, and cooling rate; and (3) Solution of the equations for final distribution of grain size as a result of the initial random spatial distribution of nucleation sites