Mechanical Testing Laboratory – MM362

Experiment 3 Flexural Test

AIM: To conduct three - point bending test on acrylic sheetand determinerupture stress, and
plot Weibull distribution from data of all tested specimens.

EQUIPMENT USED: Universal testing machine (INSTRON), Vernier Caliper/ micrometer

INTRODUCTION: Flexural test or 3-point bending test measures the modulus of rupture
(bend strength σr= 6M/bh2; M maximum moment, b width and h thickness) of samples
subjected to bending loads. A large number of samples are tested for reporting an average
fracture stress of a material. There is significant variation in rupture stress from sample to
sample as a result of statistical distribution of flaws and flaw sizes on surface and inside
sample volume. This distribution in flaw size has consequences such as the rupture stress
becoming a function of sample size because of increased probability of flaws in larger sample
volume. These statistics of fracture is studied using Weibull distribution.

Fig. Flexural test set up, schematic of apparatus and specimen loading geometry for 3-point
bend test

Weibull distribution defines the survival probability, Ps(Vo), as a fraction of samples of

volume Vo that survive an applied stress σ as:
 𝜎 𝑚
𝑃𝑆 (𝑉𝑜 ) = 𝑒𝑥𝑝[− ( ) ]
𝜎𝑜

Here σo is the stress at which the survival probability is 1/e = 0.37. The Weibull coefficient m
is a measure of the material strength variability. Low values of m indicate a high variability in
strength.The coefficient m can be determined by curve fitting the graph of Ps (Vo) vs σ, and
taking double logarithms of both sides as in equation below:

1 𝜎
ln⁡[ln( )] ⁡ = 𝑚 ln
𝑃𝑠 (𝑉𝑜 ) 𝜎𝑜

The plot of ln [ln (1/ Ps (Vo)] vs ln (σ/σo) yields a straight line of slope m. Since we are testing
sample of same dimensions, Vo can be assumed constant in the above equation.

PROCEDURE:

• Measure the thickness and width of three specimens and mark the center of specimen
and 2 points at 50 mm on each side.
• Place the specimen on the loading assembly such that the specimen center matches
the center of top crosshead.
• The machine is operated until the loading block is bought into contact with the top
head of specimen.
• The required parameters are set on the control panel.
• The load recorder is adjusted on the front panel controller to zero, to read load
applied.
• Start button is pressed to start the flexural test.
• The specimen is observed, as the load is gradually applied.
• The maximum load is recorded and loading is continued until specimen fractures.

OBSERVATION:

Specimen Specimen Span length Volume, Vo Fracture stress,

dimensions, l(mm) σ (MPa)
L×b×h
1.
2.
3.
RESULTS:

Make a table ofrupture stress of all specimens tested in your batch (7X3 = 21 specimens) and
plot a histogram for number of samples vs rupture stress. Divide the total range of rupture
stress values into 8 equal segments. [1]

Plot probability of failure (Pf) vs rupture stress. [0.5]

Plot Weibull curve: survival probability (Ps= 1-Pf) vs rupture stress. [0.5]

Estimate σo as the stress where Ps is 0.37. Then normalize the x axis by this value of σo. [0.5]

Find the value of m for the tested material, by curve fitting as explained in text above. [1.5]

Discuss the reasons for obtaining a distribution for rupture stress for a material, instead of a
single value. What does m signify? [1]

Reference:

Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Thomas Courtney, 2nd Ed, Pg. 443-447