One of the two points on which a standard bar rests when in use if the distance between lines engraved on the ends of the neutral fiber is to be a maximum. The distance between symmetrically placed supports is approximately 0. 5994 times the length of the bar. The neutral fiber is that surface, in the bar, which has the same length before and after the bar is placed on the supports. Note that although the length between marks remains the same, the distance diminishes because the bar is distorted by its own weight when placed on the supports.