Definition:Compression

Definition

Compression is a force on a body whose action tends to make that body smaller.

The word is also used to denote the change in shape of that body as a result of the force applied.

In the above diagram:

the solid line indicates the original shape of the body

the dotted line indicates the shape of the body under compression.

Compressive Stress

Compressive stress is a measure of the internal forces on a body in reaction to a force of compression.

Also see

• Definition:Stress

• Definition:Tension
• Definition:Shear

• Results about compression can be found here.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): compression
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): compression