compressivestrength

Compressive strength is the capacity of a material or structure to withstand axial compression without failure. It is a fundamental material property used across engineering disciplines to predict how components will carry loads in compression. The term applies to concrete, metals, wood, polymers, ceramics, soils, and composites, among others, and is often contrasted with tensile and shear strength.

Typically, compressive strength is determined by a controlled laboratory test in which a specimen is loaded along its axis until failure. The peak stress endured at failure is reported as the compressive strength, usually in units of megapascals (MPa) or pounds per square inch (psi). Common specimen types include cylinders or cubes for concrete and metal samples shaped according to material standards. Testing conditions, including loading rate, temperature, humidity, and confinement, influence results.

Several factors affect measured strength. Material composition and microstructure, porosity, moisture content, curing and aging (for cementitious materials), temperature, and the rate of loading all play roles. In anisotropic materials such as wood and many composites, strength can vary with direction. For soils, compressive strength depends on effective stress and confining pressure.

Applications and interpretation vary by material. In structural design, compressive strength informs safety factors and allowable loads in codes and standards. For soils, unconfined or confined compressive strength tests support bearing capacity estimates. While higher compressive strength generally indicates greater resistance to crushing, it does not alone determine performance, which also depends on toughness, ductility, and failure mode.