Definition(s)
Principal Stress
Stress on a principal plane for which the shear stress is zero. NOTE For any general state of stress at any point, there exist three mutually perpendicular planes at that point on which shearing stresses are zero. The remaining normal stress components on these three planes are principal stresses. The largest of these three stresses is called the maximum principal stress.
Source: API TR 5C3, Technical Report on Equations and Calculations for Casing, Tubing, and Line Pipe Used as Casing or Tubing; and Performance Properties Tables for Casing and Tubing, Upstream Segment, First Edition, December 2008. Global Standards