For rate of application of load see SPEED OF TESTING MACHINE, above.

The speed should be uniform from start to finish without stopping.
Readings must be made "on the fly." _Log of the test_: The log sheets used for small beams (see Fig.
32) are the same as for large sizes and the procedure is practically identical.

The stress-strain diagram is continued to or beyond the maximum load, and in a portion of the tests should be continued to six-inch deflection or until the specimen fails to support a load of 200 pounds.

Deflection readings for equal increments of load are taken until well beyond the elastic limit, after which the scale beam is kept balanced and the load read for each 0.1 inch deflection.

The load and deflection at first failure, the maximum load, and any points of sudden change should be shown on the diagram, even though they do not occur at one of the regular points.