Statistical Analysis of Residual Stress Profiles Using a Heuristic Method

In this paper we present a recently developed heuristic method for statistical analysis of residual stress that is based on a combination of the weighted least-squares method and the application of expert judgement. The least-squares method allows a model of the best residual stress profile to be determined as a linear combination of basis functions; the expert knowledge gives the flexibility of applying expert judgement to determine the weights from the observed scatter in the residual stress data. The heuristic method has been applied to a set of measurement data of a Welded Bead-on-Plate specimen. The results show that with the heuristic method, it is possible to obtain less conservative residual stress profile to a known confidence level.