REsidual Stress and structural Integrity Studies using Thermography (RESIST)

A new methodology for assessing residual stresses using non-contact thermography is proposed. Residual stresses are stresses that are hidden in structures usually developed during manufacturing. The addition of the residual and service stresses can bring the material close to failure. The purpose of the research is to identify the residual stresses at welds in service components. Most portable residual stress measurement techniques are destructive. Other non-destructive residual stress measurement techniques are not portable. The thermography approach is non-destructive and portable, therefore offering a means to investigate components in service without costly plant down time. The proposed technique has been validated in a laboratory environment. There are still significant challenges to be addressed to bring the system to market, which will be dealt with in the planned research work by an expert consortium.