Effects of Friction, Geometry, and Fixture Compliance on the Perceived Toughness from Three-and Four-Point Bend End-Notched Flexure Tests

Linear and nonlinear finite element analyses are used to examine the effects of friction, test geometry, and fixture compliance on the perceived toughness as obtained from threeand four-point bend end-notched flexure tests. To this end, a newly developed ‘direct energy balance approach’ is used to obtain the ‘true’ energy release rate for any given specimen, test geometry, and coefficient of friction. Finite element analyses are also used in a...