Compressive Stress

Compressive stress occurs when a material is subjected to forces that push inward, attempting to shorten or crush it. It is the opposite of tensile stress and arises in components designed to bear loads that press against them, such as columns, struts, and machine frames. The formula for compressive stress is:

compressive stress = force / cross-sectional area or σ = F / A,

where σ is the compressive stress, F is the applied force, and A is the cross-sectional area over which the force is distributed.

Compressive stress is crucial in designing structural elements that support weight, ensuring that materials can withstand the applied load without buckling, crushing, or experiencing excessive deformation. Understanding how materials respond to compression helps engineers prevent failures in load-bearing applications.