Compressive Strength

The maximum compressive stress that a material is capable of developing based on original area of cross section. In the case of a material which fails in compression by shattering fracture, the compressive strength has a very definite value. In the case of materials which do not fail in compression by a shattering fracture, the value obtained for compressive strength is an arbitrary value depending upon the degree of distortion that is regarded as indicating complete failure of the material.

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