Strength of materials

Strength of materials studies how solid bodies deform and fail under applied forces. It relates loads and internal stresses to deformation, material limits, and structural safety.

Stress (mechanics): Stress is the internal force per unit area transmitted within a material. It describes the internal loading produced by external forces.
Tension (mechanics): Tension is loading that pulls a body apart along an axis. It is the basic case for axial stress and elongation.
Factor of safety: A factor of safety is the ratio of a structure's failure capacity to its expected demand. It provides a margin against uncertain loads and material strength.
Statics: Statics studies forces and moments in systems in equilibrium. It finds member forces, while strength of materials determines resulting stresses and deformation.
Strain (mechanics): Strain is a measure of deformation relative to a body's original dimensions. It quantifies the deformation paired with stress.
Compression (mechanics): Compression is loading that pushes a body together along an axis. It can cause crushing or instability in slender members.
Beam (structure): A beam is a structural member designed primarily to resist loads acting transverse to its length. Beam analysis applies stress and deformation calculations to common structural members.
Dynamics (mechanics): Dynamics studies motion and the forces that produce or accompany it. Dynamic loads can alter stress and failure predictions beyond static analysis.
Elasticity (physics): Elasticity is the ability of a material to recover its shape after a deforming load is removed. Elastic response links applied stress to recoverable strain.
Bending: Bending is deformation caused by a moment that curves a structural member. It produces tension and compression across a member's cross-section.

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