A novel method for stress measurement utilizing the Rayleigh wave virtual superimposed interference spectrum

This study presents a novel stress measurement method utilizing the Rayleigh waves virtual superimposed interference spectrum (RW-VSIS). This method achieves stress measurements by exploiting the effect of stress on the superimposed interference spectrum of two beams of Rayleigh waves. Firstly, the effect of stress on Rayleigh wave velocity is theoretically investigated by partial wave theory and matrix solving algorithm. The theoretical results show that the Rayleigh wave propagation direction versus the stress direction will affect the wave velocity and the time of flight (TOF). Then, a theoretical model of RW-VSIS under pre-stress is derived. It's found that the stress will dominate the first characteristic frequency (FCF). The regulation effects of propagation distance and angle on FCF are discussed. Finally, the feasibility of stress measurement based on the FCF is validated through experiments. The impact of stress on TOF and FCF is comparatively analyzed. The results show a significant improvement of stress measurement by FCF in the superimposed interference spectrum, compared to the TOF in time domain waveform. With a calibration and verification test for the unknow coefficient of an aluminum specimen, the experimental examination of the stress shows a maximum error of less than 4 MPa indicating good measurement accuracy.