A loading device for a test piece including a first side and a second side, the first side generally opposing the second side, the loading device comprising: a first member including a first surface, the first surface configured to contact the first side of the test piece; a first pair of clamping members fixedly secured to the first member and each including a first clamping surface, where the first clamping surface is configured to contact the second side of the test piece, a line connecting the first clamping surfaces defining a first longitudinal axis; a second member including a second surface configured to contact the second side of the test piece; a second pair of clamping members fixedly secured to the second member and each including a second clamping surface, wherein the second clamping surface is configured to contact the first side of the test piece, a line connecting the second clamping surfaces defining a second longitudinal axis; and an actuator in communication with the second member and configured to exert a predetermined force to drive the second member in a first direction away from the first member and a second direction toward the first member; wherein the first and second clamping members (72, 74) are positioned such that they cooperate to create a bending moment in the test piece when the predetermined force is exerted on the test piece by driving the second member in the first direction. wherein the first and second members (34, 36) are positioned such that they cooperate to create a bending moment in the test piece when the predetermined force is exerted on the test piece by driving the second member in the second direction, characterized in that said first and second longitudinal axes (A3, A4) are positioned generally perpendicular to each other. a first member including a first surface, the first surface configured to contact the first side of the test piece; a first pair of clamping members fixedly secured to the first member and each including a first clamping surface, where the first clamping surface is configured to contact the second side of the test piece, a line connecting the first clamping surfaces defining a first longitudinal axis; a second member including a second surface configured to contact the second side of the test piece; a second pair of clamping members fixedly secured to the second member and each including a second clamping surface, wherein the second clamping surface is configured to contact the first side of the test piece, a line connecting the second clamping surfaces defining a second longitudinal axis; and an actuator in communication with the second member and configured to exert a predetermined force to drive the second member in a first direction away from the first member and a second direction toward the first member; wherein the first and second clamping members (72, 74) are positioned such that they cooperate to create a bending moment in the test piece when the predetermined force is exerted on the test piece by driving the second member in the first direction. wherein the first and second members (34, 36) are positioned such that they cooperate to create a bending moment in the test piece when the predetermined force is exerted on the test piece by driving the second member in the second direction, characterized in that said first and second longitudinal axes (A3, A4) are positioned generally perpendicular to each other.