The incremental hole drilling method is one of the most common residual stress measurement techniques employed at Hill Engineering. A reliable and rapid process, it’s the subject of our latest Residual Stress 101 episode.
A hole drilling residual stress measurement involves incrementally drilling a small hole in a coupon. Doing so releases near-surface residual stress and causes the part to deform. The deformation is then measured using a strain gage.
The ability to measure multiple stress components is one of the benefits of hole drilling. The relatively easy setup allows for quick measurement turnaround time, as well as difficult measurement site access. In addition, this method is highly portable, and can be performed in our lab or in the field as needed.
Our latest video also highlights the hole drilling capabilities of DARTTM, Hill Engineering’s device for automated residual stress testing, which we’ve featured in a contact us.