Survetugevus

Survetugevus, or compressive strength, is the maximum compressive stress that a material can withstand before failing in compression. In Estonian, survetugevus directly translates to compressive strength and is a common term in engineering literature. It is a fundamental mechanical property used in structural design and materials selection. For homogeneous, isotropic materials, it is defined as the ratio of the maximum load that can be applied to a specimen to its cross-sectional area under uniaxial compression.

Measurement of compressive strength is typically performed with a uniaxial compression test in which a specimen is loaded axially until failure, while load and displacement are recorded. Specimens can be cylindrical or cubical, and the standard preparation, loading rate, temperature, and moisture conditions affect results. The resulting compressive strength is reported in units such as megapascals (MPa) or psi.

Interpretation of results varies by material. Concrete and ceramics generally have high compressive strength relative to tensile strength, while some metals also exhibit high compressive strength but may buckle under long-term load. Wood and composites show wide variability depending on orientation and composition. The strength typically increases with curing time and decreases with flaws, porosity, or moisture.

Applications and use in design are central to constructing and selecting materials. Compressive strength informs safety margins and code-compliant sizing for components subjected to axial loads. For concrete, the specified compressive strength is a key parameter in structural codes. In material selection, compressive strength is considered alongside tensile strength, shear strength, and ductility, with testing standards and data sheets providing reference values for specific materials and applications.