Three-point flexural test

The three-point bending flexural test provides values for the modulus of elasticity
in bending , flexural stress , flexural strain  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.

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 

 for a rectangular cross section

 for a circular cross section
Calculation of the flexural strain 

Calculation of flexural modulus 

in these formulas the following parameters are used:
   = Stress in outer fibers at midpoint, (MPa)
   = Strain in the outer surface, (mm/mm)
   = flexural Modulus of elasticity,(MPa)
    = load at a given point on the load deflection curve, (N)
    = Support span, (mm)
    = Width of test beam, (mm)
    = Depth or thickness of tested beam, (mm)
    = maximum deflection of the center of the beam, (mm)
    = The gradient (i.e., slope) of the initial straight-line portion of the load deflection curve, (N/mm)

    = The radius of the beam, (mm)

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

where  is the applied load,  is the thickness of the specimen,  is the crack length, and
 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 .

The ASTM D5045-14  and E1290-08  Standards suggests the relation

where

The predicted values of  are nearly identical for the ASTM and Bower equations for crack lengths less than 0.6.

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

References 

Materials testing
Mechanics