We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Compressive Strength?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,957
References
Share

Compressive strength is a measure of a material’s ability to withstand compressive forces, where it is squeezed laterally. Materials testing can determine the compressive strength of a material in optimal conditions, using a specialized device that applies known pressure loads to materials of interest. There are a number of applications where assessments of this property are important, particularly with building supplies, which need to be sturdy enough to withstand failure during and after construction.

Concrete, insulating materials, stone, and various forms of wood can be tested for compressive strength. In the testing, technicians will take note of when signs of fatigue like cracking, bending, and pitting appear. They also record the failure point, where the material breaks down. Multiple tests may be run to confirm the initial findings and generate a range of readings. Especially with natural materials like wood, which may not always be consistent, it is important to find the range in which the material usually sits to come up with a reasonable rating.

Materials can be subjected to tremendous squeezing forces in structures, where the weight of the structure creates intense lateral pressure, especially during events like earthquakes and heavy storms. Compressive strength can also be a concern with vehicles and craft, ranging from space shuttles to sailboats. These craft need to be able to handle varying levels of pressure at different times during operation without failing, and thus the construction materials used must be carefully tested.

A compressive strength rating can help an engineer decide on the best choice of material, after considering other factors like flexibility and resistance to corrosion. Charts with data on common construction materials are available through professional and trade organizations that work with construction and building materials. It is also possible to get product specifications from a manufacturer who can provide detailed information about the properties of the materials it processes and produces. This information can include a discussion of testing methods.

In manufacturing, periodic testing is used for quality control. Technicians want to make sure that products are consistent as they come off the line, and can provide test results to concerned customers. At locations like construction sites, workers can also run spot testing before starting projects, to confirm that, for example, a batch of concrete meets the needs of a given application. If the material fails under testing, it may be defective, and the construction company could be entitled to a refund or replacement from the manufacturer.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-compressive-strength.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.