BelastungsWegKurven

BelastungsWegKurven, often referred to in English as load-displacement curves, describe the relationship between the external load acting on a structure or material sample and the resulting displacement or deformation. The term is used in German-language engineering literature to capture the progression of mechanical response under controlled loading conditions, such as in tensile, compression, or bending tests.

In a typical BelastungsWegKurve, load is plotted on one axis and displacement on the other. The initial linear portion of the curve reflects material stiffness, with the slope indicating the elastic modulus. As loading continues, non-linear behavior may appear, revealing yielding, plastic deformation, or damage. In monotonic tests, the curve helps identify yield strength, ultimate strength, and ductility. In cyclic tests, the curves may form hysteresis loops, illustrating energy dissipation and damping characteristics of the material or component.

Applications of BelastungsWegKurven span material science, structural engineering, and components testing. They are used to compare materials, validate design models, assess fatigue life, and evaluate performance under variable loading rates or temperature conditions. The curves are influenced by test parameters such as loading rate, alignment, specimen geometry, and environmental factors, which must be controlled to ensure meaningful comparisons.

Limitations include sensitivity to testing conditions and the fact that different testing setups may yield curves that are not directly comparable. Nevertheless, BelastungsWegKurven provide a concise visual summary of mechanical behavior, enabling engineers to extract important properties such as stiffness, strength, energy absorption, and damage progression. See also load-displacement curve, stress-strain curve, and hysteresis in cyclic loading.