Calculating the core shear modulus from a bending test

1. Conduct the Bending Test:

• Perform the three- or four-point bending test as described in ASTM C393.
• Record the load (P) and corresponding displacement (δ) data throughout the test.
2. Plot the Load-Displacement Curve:
• Plot the recorded load (P) on the y-axis against the displacement (δ) on the x-axis.
• The initial linear portion of this curve is used for calculating the core shear
modulus.
3. Determine the Slope of the Linear Region:
• Identify the linear region of the load-displacement curve, typically the initial
straight portion before any significant non-linearity or failure.
• Calculate the slope (k) of this linear region. The slope can be obtained using linear
regression or simply by taking two points within the linear region:
4. Calculate the Core Shear Modulus:
• Use the formula provided in ASTM C393 for the effective shear modulus. The
formula can be derived from the relationship between the load, displacement, and
shear properties of the core material.

For a three-point bending test, the core shear modulus (Gc)can be calculated using:

The displacement due to face sheet bending (δf) can be estimated as: