Stelhet

Stelhet is a Dutch term that describes the resistance of a material, structure, or biological tissue to deformation under an applied force. In physics and engineering, stelhet is a measure of stiffness, often expressed as the ratio of force to displacement (k). Higher stelhet means less deformation for a given load. In materials science, stelhet can be analyzed in different modes, such as axial, bending, or torsional stiffness, and is related to material properties like Young’s modulus, geometry, and boundary conditions.

In engineering practice, stelhet determines how structures respond to loads and how much they deflect under service conditions. Designers balance stiffness with weight, strength, and cost. For an object with length L and cross-sectional area A, the axial stiffness is k = AE/L, where E is Young’s modulus. Temperature, aging, and defects can reduce stelhet over time.

In biomechanics and medicine, stelhet refers to the resistance of muscles, tendons, joints, and connective tissues to passive movement. Normal stelhet supports stable and efficient motion, while abnormal levels can limit range of motion or indicate pathology. Increased stelhet can be seen in neurological conditions with rigidity, whereas reduced stelhet may occur with muscle weakness or certain degenerative disorders. Clinically, stelhet is assessed through range of motion, torque–angle measurements, and dynamometric tests.

See also: rigidity, stiffness, Young’s modulus, elasticity.