| Abstract: | The application of small specimen creep test techniques in the evaluation of creep properties of materials in‐service has been increasing. To obtain the creep data accurately and conveniently, a new creep test method with small cantilever beam specimens is proposed. Analytical equations are derived that can convert the load to equivalent uniaxial stress and the displacement rate to equivalent uniaxial strain rate. Three types of the cantilever beam specimens are designed. The optimal configuration of the cantilever beam specimens is recommended with the aid of finite element method, which is further validated by the cantilever beam and uniaxial specimen tests. The results show that parameters obtained from the cantilever beam tests correspond reasonably well with those from uniaxial tests at low stress levels. With a relatively large equivalent gauge length, the cantilever beam specimen allows the small creep strain rate data obtained with a high accuracy. |
