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Q.Define stress and explain the types of stress.

Andhra Pradesh BieapBIEAP Intermediate Board (1st Year) 2019Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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Stress is restoring force per unit cross-sectional area inside a deformed body; it is classified as longitudinal, shearing, or volume stress depending on how the deforming force acts.

Definition of stress

When an external deforming force is applied to a body, the body develops an internal restoring force that resists the deformation and tends to restore the body to its original shape/size. The magnitude of this internal restoring force per unit area of cross-section is called stress:

Stress=FA\text{Stress} = \frac{F}{A}

Its SI unit is N m−2\text{N m}^{-2} (same as pressure, the pascal, Pa), and its dimensional formula is [ML−1T−2][\text{ML}^{-1}\text{T}^{-2}].

Types of stress

  1. Longitudinal stress — arises when the deforming force is applied normal (perpendicular) to the cross-sectional area, along the length of the body, causing a change in length.
    • Tensile stress: the force stretches the body (increases its length), e.g., pulling a wire.
    • Compressive stress: the force compresses the body (decreases its length), e.g., pushing on a pillar. …

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