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Flexural modulus measures a material’s ability to resist bending when subjected to stress, and is important in engineering and design. It varies depending on the material, with ductile materials having a well-defined modulus while brittle materials are described by their flexural strength. The relationship between stress and strain is plotted on a stress-strain curve, and the modulus is determined through laboratory tests. Testing may be conducted at different temperatures to simulate end-use environments.
Flexural modulus is a measure of how well a given material deforms and potentially warps when a weight or force is applied. This is an important calculation in engineering and architecture, as it tells builders and designers the maximum weight different materials can support. Calculations often shape choices made in the construction and design of everything from skyscrapers and homes to industrial machinery, automobiles and basic appliances. As a result, it plays an important role in civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering and design, and is often used to select the correct materials for parts that will support loads without deflecting or warping.
Material differences
In basic terms, the calculation describes the ability of a material with a specific cross section to resist bending when subjected to stress. However, the number necessarily varies according to the type of material in question. Even surfaces and structures that look comparable can have different capacities when it comes to carrying capacity.
For example, ductile materials such as steel and brass, which can be deformed long before failure, have a well-defined modulus classification. Brittle materials such as glass and concrete typically have little or no plastic deformation before failure. For this reason, many brittle materials do not have a clearly defined measurement and are often described by their flexural strength, which is the maximum amount of bending stress that can be applied before the material fails or fails.
Relationship between stress and effort
The term is used to define the relationship between a bending stress and the resulting strain. Strain is a measure of the amount of deformation of a material when a stress is applied. The elastic deformation is reversible and will disappear after the stress is removed, which means that the material will return to its original state. At high levels of stress, however, a material will permanently deform and usually not shrink back to its original size. This is referred to as “plastic strain” or “subsidence”.
Draw the curve
Engineers and architects typically plot the modulus on a graph that can serve as a visual representation of the interaction between stress and strain. The result is generally known as a “stress-strain curve” and shows how the strain changes with applied bending stress. The slope of this curve in the region where elastic deformation occurs defines the flexural modulus of the material. The units of measure are, in most cases, pounds per square inch (psi) or Newton per square meter, perhaps more commonly known as pascals (Pa).
Laboratory tests
Actually getting an accurate measurement of flexural modulus can be quite tricky, but it is almost always determined through a series of intensive laboratory tests. In most cases, engineers will start with a sample of the target material with a specific shape and known dimensions. The “bending test” is essentially a measurement of the force required to bend a specimen, often known as a “beam”, which has defined dimensions. Engineers typically apply the force at three points: the beam is usually supported on its underside near both ends, and a force is applied on top at its midpoint, between the bottom supports. This is known as three point loading conditions. Once the force is entered, any deflection or movement of the beam is measured and recorded, and subsequently analyzed.
Flexural modulus has been determined for a wide variety of structural materials, including metals, wood, glass, concrete, and plastics. It is usually measured at room temperature conditions. The properties of some materials, such as many plastics, will change with temperature. Flex test is sometimes conducted at lower or higher temperatures to simulate the intended end-use environment; this kind of knowledge is really important for anyone building at high altitudes or in extreme weather conditions, particularly in arctic areas or near the equator.
