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The difference between compressive stress and compressive strength?
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The difference between compressive stress and compressive strength?
Understanding Compressive Stress
Compressive stress is a fundamental concept in mechanics of materials. It refers to the internal resistance offered by a material when subjected to a compressive load.
  • Definition: Compressive stress is defined as the force per unit area exerted on a material in a direction that tends to compress it.
  • Formula: It is calculated using the formula:
    σ = F/A
    where σ is the compressive stress, F is the applied force, and A is the cross-sectional area.
  • Units: The units of compressive stress are typically Pascals (Pa) or N/m².


Understanding Compressive Strength
Compressive strength, on the other hand, is a measure of the maximum load a material can withstand without failure when subjected to compressive stress.
  • Definition: It is defined as the maximum compressive stress that a material can sustain before failure occurs.
  • Significance: Compressive strength is crucial for determining the suitability of materials for construction applications, ensuring safety and durability.
  • Testing: It is typically evaluated through standardized tests, such as the uniaxial compression test, to determine the load at which the material fails.
  • Units: Compressive strength is also measured in Pascals (Pa) or N/m².


Key Differences
  • Nature: Compressive stress is a measure of the intensity of the load, while compressive strength indicates the material's capacity to resist that load.
  • Application: Compressive stress is used during loading scenarios, while compressive strength is used in material selection and design processes.

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The difference between compressive stress and compressive strength?
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