Three-point flexural test

The three-point bending flexural test provides values for the modulus of elasticity in bending ${\displaystyle E_{f}}$, flexural stress ${\displaystyle \sigma _{f}}$, flexural strain ${\displaystyle \epsilon _{f}}$ and the flexural stress–strain response of the material. This test is performed on a universal testing machine (tensile testing machine or tensile tester) with a three-point or four-point bend fixture. The main advantage of a three-point flexural test is the ease of the specimen preparation and testing. However, this method has also some disadvantages: the results of the testing method are sensitive to specimen and loading geometry and strain rate.

1940s flexural test machinery working on a sample of concrete

Test fixture on universal testing machine for three-point flex test

Testing method

The test method for conducting the test usually involves a specified test fixture on a universal testing machine. Details of the test preparation, conditioning, and conduct affect the test results. The sample is placed on two supporting pins a set distance apart.

Calculation of the flexural stress ${\displaystyle \sigma _{f}}$

${\displaystyle \sigma _{f}={\frac {3FL}{2bd^{2}}}}$ for a rectangular cross section

${\displaystyle \sigma _{f}={\frac {FL}{\pi R^{3}}}}$ for a circular cross section^[1]

Calculation of the flexural strain ${\displaystyle \epsilon _{f}}$

${\displaystyle \epsilon _{f}={\frac {6Dd}{L^{2}}}}$

Calculation of flexural modulus ${\displaystyle E_{f}}$^[2]

${\displaystyle E_{f}={\frac {L^{3}m}{4bd^{3}}}}$

in these formulas the following parameters are used:

• ${\displaystyle \sigma _{f}}$ = Modulus of Rupture, the stress required to fracture the sample (MPa)
• ${\displaystyle \epsilon _{f}}$ = Strain in the outer surface, (mm/mm)
• ${\displaystyle E_{f}}$ = flexural Modulus of elasticity,(MPa)
• ${\displaystyle F}$ = load at a given point on the load deflection curve, (N)
• ${\displaystyle L}$ = Support span, (mm)
• ${\displaystyle b}$ = Width of test beam, (mm)
• ${\displaystyle d}$ = Depth or thickness of tested beam, (mm)
• ${\displaystyle D}$ = maximum deflection of the center of the beam, (mm)
• ${\displaystyle m}$ = The gradient (i.e., slope) of the initial straight-line portion of the load deflection curve, (N/mm)

• ${\displaystyle R}$ = The radius of the beam, (mm)

Fracture toughness testing

Single-edge notch-bending specimen (also called three-point bending specimen) for fracture toughness testing.

The fracture toughness of a specimen can also be determined using a three-point flexural test. The stress intensity factor at the crack tip of a single edge notch bending specimen is^[3]

${\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}K_{\rm {I}}&={\frac {4P}{B}}{\sqrt {\frac {\pi }{W}}}\left[1.6\left({\frac {a}{W}}\right)^{1/2}-2.6\left({\frac {a}{W}}\right)^{3/2}+12.3\left({\frac {a}{W}}\right)^{5/2}\right.\\&\qquad \left.-21.2\left({\frac {a}{W}}\right)^{7/2}+21.8\left({\frac {a}{W}}\right)^{9/2}\right]\end{aligned}}}$

where ${\displaystyle P}$ is the applied load, ${\displaystyle B=W/2}$ is the thickness of the specimen, ${\displaystyle a}$ is the crack length, and ${\displaystyle W}$ is the width of the specimen. In a three-point bend test, a fatigue crack is created at the tip of the notch by cyclic loading. The length of the crack is measured. The specimen is then loaded monotonically. A plot of the load versus the crack opening displacement is used to determine the load at which the crack starts growing. This load is substituted into the above formula to find the fracture toughness ${\displaystyle K_{Ic}}$.

The ASTM D5045-14 ^[4] and E1290-08 ^[5] Standards suggests the relation

${\displaystyle K_{\rm {I}}={\cfrac {6P}{BW}}\,a^{1/2}\,Y}$

where

${\displaystyle Y={\cfrac {1.99-a/W\,(1-a/W)(2.15-3.93a/W+2.7(a/W)^{2})}{(1+2a/W)(1-a/W)^{3/2}}}\,.}$

The predicted values of ${\displaystyle K_{\rm {I}}}$ are nearly identical for the ASTM and Bower equations for crack lengths less than 0.6${\displaystyle W}$.

Standards

• ISO 12135: Metallic materials. Unified method for the determination of quasi-static fracture toughness.
• ISO 12737: Metallic materials. Determination of plane-strain fracture toughness.
• ISO 178: Plastics—Determination of flexural properties.
• ASTM C293: Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam With Center-Point Loading).
• ASTM D790: Standard test methods for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics and electrical insulating materials.
• ASTM E1290: Standard Test Method for Crack-Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) Fracture Toughness Measurement.
• ASTM D7264: Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials.
• ASTM D5045: Standard Test Methods for Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness and Strain Energy Release Rate of Plastic Materials.

See also

• Bending – Strain caused by an external load
• Euler–Bernoulli beam theory – Method for load calculation in construction
• Flexural strength – Material property
• Four-point flexural test – Mechanical test for materials
• List of second moments of area
• Second moment of area – Mathematical construct in engineering