Stress represents the action of a force or moment on a structural member. If the force pulls the member (tension) it results in a tensile stress; if the force pushes the member (compression) it results in compressive stress. Tensile stresses stretch a member and compressive stresses squeeze a member.

How do you know if stress is tensile or compressive?

Main Difference – Tensile vs Compressive Stress

The type of the stress is determined by the force being applied on the material. If it is a tensile (stretching) force, the material experiences a tensile stress. If it is a compressive (squeezing) force, the material experiences a compressive stress.

What is the difference between tensile and compressive force?

In other words, compressive strength resists compression (being pushed together), whereas tensile strength resists tension (being pulled apart). ... Some materials fracture at their compressive strength limit; others deform irreversibly, so a given amount of deformation may be considered as the limit for compressive load.