Compressive strength

In <a href="/facts/Mechanics/A3yHLQA5">mechanics</a>, compressive strength (or compression strength) is the capacity of a material or <a href="/facts/Structural_system/4tyfPn2J">structure</a> to withstand <a href="/facts/Structural_load/MAxjDyhc">loads</a> tending to reduce size (<a href="/facts/Compression_(physics)/2wwcVmM0">compression</a>). It is opposed to <a href="/facts/Tensile_strength/Cv2jPplR">tensile strength</a> which withstands loads tending to elongate, resisting <a href="/facts/Tension_(physics)/waNGYp3a">tension</a> (being pulled apart). In the study of <a href="/facts/Strength_of_materials/CE77cUcB">strength of materials</a>, compressive strength, tensile strength, and <a href="/facts/Shear_strength/tmS1LR3C">shear strength</a> can be analyzed independently.
Some materials <a href="/facts/Fracture/nxDNAj0d">fracture</a> at their compressive strength limit; others <a href="/facts/Plasticity_(physics)/2VKo6keA">deform irreversibly</a>, so a given amount of <a href="/facts/Deformation_(engineering)/z1LEmkQX">deformation</a> may be considered as the limit for compressive load. Compressive strength is a key value for <a href="/facts/Structural_engineering/Wj1vpoGh">design of structures</a>.
Compressive strength is often measured on a <a href="/facts/Universal_testing_machine/gAHoX84a">universal testing machine</a>. Measurements of compressive strength are affected by the specific <a href="/facts/Test_method/sGtHudUV">test method</a> and conditions of measurement. Compressive strengths are usually reported in relationship to a specific <a href="/facts/Technical_standard/P4orT1SM">technical standard</a>.

Compressive strength open-in-new

Compressive strength