Introduction to Strength of Materials



What is meant by 'strength of materials'?

Strength of materials refers to the study of the behavior of solid objects subject to stresses and strains. It helps to understand how different materials deform or break under various types of loading.

Define stress in the context of strength of materials.

Stress is the internal resistance offered by a material to an external force, measured as force per unit area (usually in Pascals).

What is strain?

Strain is the deformation or displacement of material that results from an applied stress, typically expressed as a dimensionless ratio of change in dimension to original dimension.

How is Young's modulus defined?

Young's modulus is a measure of the stiffness of an elastic material, defined as the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain.

What is the difference between tensile and compressive stress?

Tensile stress stretches material while compressive stress compacts it. Tensile stress involves pulling forces, whereas compressive stress involves pushing forces.

What is shear stress?

Shear stress is a form of stress that occurs when forces are applied parallel or tangential to a surface.

Describe elastic limit.

The elastic limit is the maximum stress that a material can withstand without permanent deformation.

What is the significance of the yield point in materials?

The yield point is the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. Beyond this point, permanent deformation occurs.

Explain the concept of ductility.

Ductility is a measure of a material's ability to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture or breaking.

What is the meaning of brittleness in materials?

Brittleness is a property of a material which indicates that it is likely to break or shatter when subjected to stress.

Define ultimate strength.

Ultimate strength is the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before failing or breaking.

Why is the modulus of resilience important?

The modulus of resilience is the amount of energy per volume that a material can absorb before yielding, reflecting its ability to withstand shock and impact without permanent deformation.

What is Poisson's Ratio?

Poisson's Ratio is the negative ratio of transverse to axial strain in a material that is deformed under axial stress.

How is the factor of safety used in engineering?

The factor of safety is a design criterion that provides a safety margin over the anticipated maximum load to prevent failure.

What does the term 'hardness' refer to in materials science?

Hardness refers to a material's resistance to deformation, particularly permanent deformation, indentation, or scratching.