Flexural strength is the ability to bend without deformities. A three-point test calculates an object’s bending strength. Knowing flexural and tensile strength is important in construction. Homogeneity, defects, temperature, and humidity can affect strengths. Hard but brittle objects are used more often in construction.
Flexural strength is the ability of an object to bend without experiencing major deformities. A standard experiment called a three-point test can calculate the bending strength of an object. For example, a rectangular concrete slab is placed on two parallel platforms. Then another object applies a load on the central part of the concrete, between the platforms, and gradually increases the pressure until the concrete fails. The flexural strength of concrete is estimated based on the weight of the load collapsing the concrete, the distance between platforms, and the width and thickness of the test object.
An object’s resistance to bending is also related to its tensile strength, or the object’s ability to be stretched without significantly changing its shape. When an object is made to bend, it is also stretched somewhat, although only in a localized area. In professional fields such as construction and engineering, knowing the flexural and tensile strength of a material is important to make sure the material is strong enough to be used in structures. Hard but brittle objects, such as wood concrete, alloys and plastics, are used more often in construction than resilient and ductile objects such as rubber, gold or silver, so it is more important to evaluate the flexural and tensile strengths of the former.
In theory, an object’s flexural and tensile strengths would be in similar ranges if there is homogeneity in the materials used, meaning that the substances used are mixed equally. If the substances are not mixed uniformly, the flexural and tensile strengths could vary drastically in different areas of the object. Another factor that can change the bending and tensile strength of an object is defects. For example, a rope with torn fibers might increase its tensile strength, as the fibers can stretch longer, but might decrease its resistance to bending, especially when a load is applied to the area where the fibers are weakest. .
Temperature and humidity also play a role in altering strengths. Typically, colder temperature and dry air make an object harder and more brittle, thus decreasing its resistance to bending and tensile strength. Warmer temperature and humidity typically increase the moisture in an object, thus making it more conformable and increasing its bending and tensile strengths.
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