Stress Relaxation Terminology
Concise reference for stress relaxation terms — imposed strain, declining stress, preload loss, relaxation curve, creep-relaxation coupling.
Key terms
- Stress relaxation: declining stress under fixed total strain
- Imposed strain: total strain held constant (displacement-controlled)
- Relaxation curve: stress vs time under imposed strain
- Preload loss: reduction in bolt or fastener preload due to creep
- Creep-relaxation coupling: creep converts elastic strain to creep strain, reducing stress
- Residual preload: remaining bolt load after relaxation
- Re-torquing: restoring preload after relaxation (where accessible)