Stress Measurement Using the Caustics Method under Distributed Load Conditions

The caustics experimental method is effective for the analysis of stress concentration or stress singularity. We have studied the basic characteristics of caustics under conditions of distributed loads. Thus, we have discussed many characteristics of caustics under various load conditions and different reflective planes using differently shaped specimens. In this paper, the application of the caustics experimental method to conditions of distributed loads is emphasized. Considering a real cutting system, the reflective planes are set on front and rear surfaces. An inverse problem, i.e., a method to estimate the external force or corresponding stress distribution from the experimental caustic curve is discussed.