The bending properties of composite materials are often characterized with simply supported beams under concentrated loads. The results from such tests are commonly based on homogeneous beam equations. For laminated materials, however, these formulas must be modified to account for the stacking sequence of the individual plies. The horizontal shear test with a short-beam specimen in three-point bending appears suitable as a general method of evaluation for the shear properties in fiber-reinforced composites because of its simplicity. In the experimental part of this work, the shear strength of unidirectional-glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites was determined in different fiber directions with the short-beam three-point-bending test. Also, the elastic constants and flexural properties of the same materials were determined from bending experiments carried out on specimens in the 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90° fiber directions with high span–thickness ratios. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 63–74, 2004

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Short-beam and three-point-bending tests for the study of shear and flexural properties in unidirectional-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites

Measurement of rolling shear modulus and strength of cross laminated timber fabricated with black spruce

Study of three- and four-point shear testing of unidirectional composite materials

Nonlinear shear behavior and interlaminar shear strength of unidirectional polymer matrix composites: A numerical study

The present study is an evaluation of the applicability of bending test methods to composite materials. The evaluation is based on examining the effect of the material, using three different reinforcing fibers, and on comparing between two loading configurations, namely, three-point versus four-point loading. It is shown that the results depend on the combination of fracture mechanism comprising each failure mode, and that reliable values of either the shear or the tensile/compressive stresses can be obtained only if the contributions of those mechanisms are accounted for.

J.B. Shortall

Papers

A three point bend test for fibre-reinforced composites