Bend Testing

What is it?
Long beam has an applied load
perpendicular to its main (longitudinal)
axis.
What is it?
Often accompanied with two or more
point supports.
What is it?
Measures flexural strength,
Remember that strength and stress
here are used interchangeably

Also used for testing welds

Bend Test
Bend tests, not to be confused with
drop tests.
Gradual application of load instead of
instant shock.
Bend!
Three kinds of bend tests discussed
today

Wrap-Around Bend Test (Simple)

3 Point Bend Test

4 Point Bend Test

Wrap-Around Guided Bend Test
A specimen of thickness, T, is bent
using a hand tool similar to a
plumbers pipe bender.
Wrap-Around Guided Bend Test
A specimen of thickness, T, is bent
using a hand tool similar to a
plumbers pipe bender.
Wrap-Around Guided Bend Test
Welds are often tested using this
method.
3 Point Bend Test
Like a compression test, but with
three points
3 Point Bend Test
3 Point Bend Test
Insert Video
3 Point Bend Test
Measuring Stress

b
d
L
3 Point Bend Test
Measuring Stress

F = Load (N)
L = Length between supports (mm)
b = width (mm)
d = thickness (mm)
Application
Testing structural components like
Glulams
Layers of timber glued together, often
used in structures
Application
Glulam
Application
Glulam
Application
Glulam
Application
Glulam Testing
Application
Why?
Characterize limits

What was different about the test in

the video?
4 Point Bend Test
4 Point Bend Test
Measuring Stress

F/2 F/2

b
d
L
4 Point Bend Test
Measuring Stress

Loading Span
F/2 F/2

b
d
L
4 Point Bend Test
Measuring Stress
IF Loading Span is 1/3 of support span:

IF Loading Span is 1/2 of support span:

Bend Tests
Whats the difference?
Type of Bend
3-Point 4-Point
Test
Non-Homogeneous
Type of Material Homogeneous (plastics)
(composites & wood)
Small and concentrated
Stress Larger region to avoid
under the center loading
Concentration premature failure
point
Specimen Typically measured with Typically measured with
Deflection the crosshead position a deflectometer
Bend Tests
Deflectometer is to transverse loading
(bend testing)

Extensometer is to longitudinal loading

(tensile testing)
Internal Behavior
Beam experiences both compression
AND tension during bend testing
Sources:

Title slide image: http://www.mpa.uni-

stuttgart.de/organisation/fb_1/abt_12/index.en.html

Wrap-Around guided bend test: http://www.twi-global.com/technical-

knowledge/job-knowledge/bend-testing-073/

http://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/job-knowledge/bend-testing-
073/

http://www.publiclogic.com/fish/1/DSC07471.JPG

http://www.esabna.com/us/en/education/knowledge/qa/problems-passing-
guided-bend-tests.cfm

http://www.composites.ugent.be/movies/anim_Can_with_water.gif

http://www.substech.com/dokuwiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?w=&h=&cache=cache&m
edia=3-point_flexure.png

http://rocketmaterials.org/datastore/fins/Bend/3-point-bend.JPG

http://img.archiexpo.com/images_ae/photo-g/glulam-timber-pedestrian-
bridges-70349-4290457.jpg

http://www.ecs.csun.edu/hpv/images/IMG_1395.jpg