Frictionless edge support for three-point bending tests in the nonlinear region

In this article, a newly developed support type is presented for three-point bending in the nonlinear region.The support can keep the contact point's location static during the loading process, thus imitating an edge-like support with theoretically no radius and friction.The support can be used for measurements in the region of large deflections without having to consider the displacement of the contact point or dissipative forces.The support was tested on fiber reinforced composite and steel beams.During the measurements, the movement of the supports and the beam shape was monitored using digital image processing.