An Overview of Flexural Testing Machines

Flexural testing plays a critical role in assessing the mechanical properties of construction materials, such as concrete. Flexural strength, often referred to as the modulus of rupture, evaluates a material's ability to resist deformation under load, making it essential for applications like beams, paving slabs, and other structural elements.

Flexural testing machines are specifically designed to apply controlled force on a material specimen until failure, ensuring consistent and reliable results that are critical to the safety and longevity of structures. In this blog, we will explore flexural testing machines, their functionality, and why they are indispensable in construction material testing. And we will take a closer look at the Automatic Flexural Testing Machine by UTEST.

Flexural testing is used to determine the strength of a material by applying force perpendicular to its length. This type of test is most commonly used for:

• Concrete beams: Ensuring that beams can handle tensile stresses in bending without breaking.

• Concrete paving blocks: Evaluating the ability of pavers to withstand stress from loads such as vehicles.

• Kerbs and paving flags: Testing the durability and load-bearing capacity of roadside elements.

• Natural stone slabs: Determining their performance under heavy weight, such as in flooring applications.

Given that flexural strength is a key parameter for these materials, accurate and reliable testing equipment is required. Flexural testing machines are built to comply with international standards such as ASTM, BS, and EN, which specify the method and parameters for testing.

Frame: The main structure of the machine, designed to withstand high loads during testing. It holds the specimen and applies the force during the test.

Loading System: The mechanism that applies force to the specimen, which can be either manual or hydraulic. Most modern machines use hydraulic systems for precision.

Control Unit: Responsible for monitoring and controlling the testing process, including setting test parameters such as load rate and recording the results.

Software Interface: Some machines offer computer-based control for advanced testing, reporting, and graphical analysis of the results.

Flexural testing machines often have additional accessories to support testing of different materials or specimen shapes, such as concrete cylinders and cubes.

The 100 kN Automatic Flexural Testing Machine from UTEST is one of the most advanced models designed for efficient and accurate testing of a wide range of materials. With a capacity of 100 kN, this machine is specifically designed for flexural strength tests on concrete beams, paving blocks, kerbs, and natural stone slabs, as well as splitting tensile strength tests of concrete paving blocks. It offers a fully automatic testing process, ensuring high precision and repeatability.

Some important features of the Flexural Testing Machine include a closed-loop control system that ensures automatic, real-time load adjustments for precise testing, preventing overloading. Compliant with international standards like EN 12390-5 and ASTM, it delivers globally recognized accuracy. Available in 100 kN, 300 kN, and 600 kN capacities, it supports a range of flexural and tensile tests. The machine is user-friendly, with an intuitive U-Touch PRO control unit for managing tests, generating reports, and displaying real-time data. It includes UTEST software for remote control, reporting, and data storage. Precision load measurement is ensured with Class 1 accuracy from 2% of full capacity.

The machine also supports splitting tensile strength testing on cylindrical or cube-shaped concrete specimens, as specified in ASTM C496 and EN 12390-6. This test is crucial for assessing the resistance of materials to tensile forces.