A review of the general theory of thermoelastic stress analysis

Thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) is now a well-known experimental technique providing information on the surface stress field in structures. Many studies have assessed the potential of the technique for a number of applications and some useful and detailed reviews of these investigations are available, focusing mainly on the experimental aspects related to the measurement of the thermoelastic signal. In this work, instead, a complete and detailed insight into the origins of the various forms of the equations describing the thermoelastic effect is given with reference to the concepts of the thermodynamic theory of a continuum. A discussion on the theory leading to the thermoelastic effect law is intended to give a useful overview of the applications and real limitations of TSA.