Deep Hole Drilling

Multi-component residual stress profiling in thick sections

Deep Hole drilling is used to measure bulk residual stress in thick sections. The method can be applied to generate a residual stress profile through the thickness of large parts. Deep Hole drilling is typically performed in the laboratory, but can be applied in the field.

Deep Hole drilling is useful for

  • Measuring a profile of the bulk residual stress in thick sections
  • Applications requiring in-field measurements with portable equipment
  • Measuring multiple stress components (in-plane principal stresses)
  • Parts with large or complex geometry

Illustration of the deep hole method for residuals tress measurement showing the initial hole and trepanned core.

Line plot of residual stress versus position through the thickness of a plastically bent beam.