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An analysis of strains and stresses in four-point bending creep tests in the limit of small beam deflections resulted in a general equation which relates the load-point deflection, the applied load, the creep exponent (N), and the geometrical parameters of the loading system. Measurements of load-point deflection rates, which are experimentally easy to accomplish in ceramic systems, vs the applied load lead to the direct determination of the creep exponent and the creep compliance in a steadystate creep test. The creep compliance is a function of the temperature, grain size, and all other factors except stress. The elastic equation relating the load-point deflection and the outer fiber strain is strictly valid for viscous creep and a p proximately valid for nonviscous creep (i.e. N>1) if the ratio of the distance between the support points to the distance between the load points is not very large.

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