Strength of Structural Members

Question 1

What is buckling?

Answer 1

a failure that occurs when compression causes a member to suddenly bend sideways, perpendicular to the direction of the applied load

Question 2

Describe the relationship between length and compression strength

Answer 2

As length increases there is a substantial reduction in compression strength

Question 3

Describe the relationship between cross-sectional area and compression strength

Answer 3

As the cross-sectional area of a member increases so does its compression strength

Question 4

Describe the relationship between cross-section shape and compression strength

Answer 4

Cross section shape has a substantial effect on compression strength. (Example a hollow tube has a substantially higher compression strength than a solid
support with equal length and cross-sectional area)

Question 5

What is tensile strength?

Answer 5

The maximum tension force a member can carry before it fails

Question 6

What is a cross-section?

Answer 6

The two-dimensional shape you see when you look at the end of a member

Question 7

What is cross-sectional area?

Answer 7

The surface area of the cross-section.

Question 8

What is a rupture?

Answer 8

When a specimen breaks into two or more pieces