Analysis of residual stress in materials is often done in static conditions in a laboratory. Accurate systems and methods for performing these analyses in a dynamic, non-laboratory environment are notoriously difficult and can be very inaccurate. A method using a portable, field deployable apparatus having greater accuracy than currently available is disclosed whereby accurate and repeatable residual stress analysis may be implemented in non-laboratory environments leading to greatly improved diagnostics, maintenance and life limit prediction. Especially the analysis of a pipe or channel can be facilitated with this invention.