Magnetic contactless detection of stress distribution and assembly defects in constructional steel element

The paper describes contactless stress measurement in a fit joint. The stress was investigated on the basis of changes in material's magnetisation. The level of magnetic leakage field changes due to mechanical stress is low. The stress measurements are determined by material's magnetoelastic sensitivity. This sensitivity must be ascertained. The magnetising field intensity is selected with high accuracy in the range where material's magnetoelastic sensitivity is greatest. The fit joint was executed with tolerance kept within planned limits. The elastic deformation of the ring's material at the lateral surface was measured with a strain gauge. At the last stage, the analytic and numerical calculations of the fit joint were compared to the magnetic field measurement results. The experiment has proven that it is possible to carry out contactless magnetic tests in constructional steel characterised by low magnetoelastic sensitivity.