A Finite Element Study of Friction Effect in Four-Point Bending Creep Test

Creep tests are often performed in four-point bending and the stress distribution in the bending specimen is nonlinear, so creep properties are estimated from bend creep test data. However, getting creep properties from bending creep tests is often doubted because of uncertainties from contact point shift and frictional effect between loading pin and specimen in four-point bending creep tests. Finite element simulations of the four-point bending creep tests were performed with geometric models which include contact conditions. It was found from simulation studies that friction in the bend tests can cause error in the estimation of creep properties, but when no friction was applied in simulations the creep properties were well predicted from bend test data.