A hybrid experimental/numerical method for the determination of the variation in the dynamic stress intensity factor (DSIF) with time during one‐ or three‐point bend impact tests is presented. According to the concept of hybrid methods, a DSIF–time diagram is calculated for a particular mathematical model for the specimen using experimentally registered loading as the model excitation. The simple expression for the impact DSIF–response function is derived for an arbitrary linear model of the specimen, using the modal superposition method. Finally, formulae for DSIF calculations for different types of loading approximation are derived.