Ministry of High Education And

Scientific Research
Middle Technical University
Engineering Technical College – Baghdad

Test no. 3

Bending Test
Preparation
Jawad Mustafa Jawad

Supervised By:
Mr. Ameer Akram

Section: Applied Mechanic

Stage: Second Group: A

Objective
Assess the mechanical properties and flexibility of a material
or specimen, with a specific focus on its ability to withstand and
recover from applied bending forces. This test aims to
determine the material's bending strength, modulus of
elasticity, and its behavior under various bending conditions,
providing valuable insights into its suitability for particular
applications and its overall mechanical performance.

Introduction

In the realm of material science and engineering, the

mechanical properties of materials play a pivotal role in
determining their suitability for specific applications. One
crucial aspect of assessing these properties is the bending test, a
widely used and standardized procedure employed to evaluate a
material's ability to withstand and recover from bending forces.
The bending test is a fundamental method for characterizing a
material's flexibility, ductility, and resilience, and it provides
valuable insights into how it behaves when subjected to various
types of bending stresses.

Materials are often exposed to bending forces in real-world

applications, and their performance under such conditions can
have far-reaching consequences. Whether it's the flexibility of a
structural component in a civil engineering project, the
durability of a medical implant, or the resilience of a material in
a manufacturing process, understanding how a material
responds to bending forces is of paramount importance.

This essay delves into the significance of bending tests,

exploring their objectives, methods, and the information they
yield about material behavior. By scrutinizing this fundamental
mechanical testing procedure, we gain a deeper understanding
of the mechanical characteristics of materials, leading to
improved design, quality control, and the development of
materials that can meet the ever-evolving demands of modern
technology and industry.
Theory
The bending test, often referred to as the "flexural test," is a
crucial mechanical testing method used to determine how a
material responds to applied bending forces. It is a fundamental
tool in material science and engineering, providing insights
into the material's flexibility, ductility, strength, and resilience.
To understand the theory behind the bending test, it is
essential to examine the key principles and components
involved.
1. Bending Stress and Strain:
The primary theory underlying the bending test revolves
around the concepts of bending stress and bending strain.
Bending stress, denoted as σ (sigma), represents the internal
resistance within a material when subjected to a bending
moment. This stress varies across the cross-section of the
material, being maximum at the surface farthest from the
neutral axis.
Bending strain, denoted as ε (epsilon), is a measure of the
deformation experienced by the material due to the applied
bending stress. It is calculated as the ratio of the change in
length to the original length and is often expressed as a
dimensionless value. The relationship between bending stress
and bending strain is critical for characterizing the material's
behavior under bending loads.
2. Modulus of Elasticity (Young's Modulus):
The modulus of elasticity, often referred to as Young's
Modulus and denoted as E, is another crucial parameter in
bending tests. It quantifies a material's ability to deform
elastically when subjected to bending forces and then return to
its original shape once the load is removed. Young's Modulus is
a measure of the material's stiffness and is calculated using the
equation:
E=εσ
Where:
• E is Young's Modulus
• σ is the bending stress
• ε is the bending strain
A higher Young's Modulus indicates a stiffer material, while a
lower value signifies greater flexibility and elasticity.
3. Flexural Strength:
In bending tests, the flexural strength, denoted as is a critical
parameter that represents the maximum bending stress a
material can withstand before failure. It provides insight into
the material's ability to resist bending forces and is a key
indicator of its structural integrity. The flexural strength is
determined by the point at which the stress-strain curve begins
to decline rapidly, indicating that the material is approaching
failure.
Understanding these fundamental principles of bending stress,
bending strain, Young's Modulus, and flexural strength is
essential for interpreting the results of bending tests
accurately. These insights allow engineers and researchers to
assess the suitability of materials for specific applications, make
informed design decisions, and ensure the safety and reliability
of structural components in various industries. In the
subsequent sections of this essay, we will delve deeper into the
methods and applications of bending tests, shedding light on
how they contribute to the field of materials science and
engineering.

Procedure
1. Measure the width and thickness of the specimen including
the span length in the table provided for the calculation of the
stress and elastic modulus. Mark on the locations where the
load will be applied under three-point bending.
2. Bend testing is carried out using a universal testing machine
until failure takes place. Construct the load-extension or load
deflection curve if the dial gauge is used.
3. Calculate the bend strength, yield strength and elastic
modulus of the specimen.
4. Describe the failure under bending and sketch the fractured
surfaces in the table provided.
5. Discuss the obtained experimental results and give
conclusions.
 Discussion
Why do we use three-point & why we use four-
point bending test?
Three-point bending is often used for simple and routine
assessments of flexural properties, while four-point bending is
employed when a more comprehensive understanding of material
behavior is needed, especially when stress concentration issues may
arise in three-point bending.

What do you expect if the bending experiment was

carried out at elevated temperatures?
The metal will yield easier and become more ductile, the force required
will be reduced.

Give three examples of engineering applications which involve bending

properties of the metals.

1. Aircraft Wing Design

2. Automotive Chassis and Suspension

3. Bridge Construction