A Detailed Statistical Examination of the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) Test

This paper examines the accuracy and precision of the double cantilever beam (DCB) test using sources of variation analysis and multilinear regression. It is estimated that greater than 90 percent of the total variation in test results is explainable. It is also concluded that the least significant source of test result variation is the standard deviation identified as test variation. Geometric and machining effects are also examined in detail. A difference on average of approximately 3.5 ksi√in. can exist for the two test methods and coupon geometries studied. However, the size of the effect is dependent on the specific machining characteristics.