On the correction of residual stress measurements obtained using the centre‐hole method

Significant errors in interpreting the results of the centre‐hole technique may arise where test conditions deviate from a uniform uniaxial low‐level stress field. This paper demonstrates that where the stress field varies linearly with depth, the as‐measured stress represents the stress at one‐quarter hole depth. In cases where surface preparation for strain gauging has induced residual stress or where stress levels are sufficiently high to induce plasticity during hole forming, simple formulae are proposed to correct for these effects.