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Three-Point Bending Test
Evaluating Material Behavior with DIC
A bending test is crucial for evaluating how materials respond to flexural loads. Three-point bending testing is one of the most widely used methods for this analysis, providing engineers with essential insights into material stiffness, strength, and failure characteristics. The test produces a flexural stress-strain response, similar to tensile stress-strain curves, with an elastic region defined by the bending modulus (or flexural modulus).
Objective
The purpose of this case study was to analyze the strain and displacement fields on the specimen surface and measure the curvature upon failure using Digital Image Correlation (DIC).
Description of the Case Study
A concrete brick specimen (140 x 18 x 18 mm) was subjected to three-point bending to evaluate its flexural properties. The test setup included:
❖ Camera: Single Basler 2.3 MP camera
❖ Frame Rate: 150 fps
❖ Lighting: Single strong halogen light
During testing, the DIC method was used to track full-field displacement and strain, allowing precise measurement of how the material deformed under load.
The image below captures the three stages of bending, showing the specimen’s deformation as force was applied.
Visual Results
❖ Failure Displacement: At the moment of failure, the maximum displacement of the specimen reached 2.29 mm.
❖ Curvature Measurement: The test recorded a curvature of 4.38° at failure.
❖ Strain Distribution: Full-field DIC analysis provided a detailed strain map, helping visualize stress concentration points before failure.
Advantages of Using DIC in Bending Tests
❖ Non-contact, full-field strain measurement for precise deformation analysis.
❖ Real-time tracking of displacement to detect failure points accurately.
❖ Quantitative curvature assessment, helping engineers optimize material performance.
❖ High accuracy in detecting stress concentration areas before structural failure.
❖ Post-processing capabilities, allowing detailed review and comparison with simulations.
This study demonstrates how Digital Image Correlation (DIC) enhances three-point bending tests, providing precise, full-field measurements of strain, displacement, and curvature. Unlike traditional measurement methods, DIC enables engineers to gain deeper insights into material behavior, improving design validation and material selection.
For more insights on how DIC enhances bending testing, explore our DIC-based testing solutions here.
For more information about bending testing and our solution AMEE 2D or AMEE 2D VEX, please Contact us through email info@mercury-dic.com.
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