Editing Compressive strength (section)

{{short description|Capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to reduce size}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2014}}
[[File:US military drum compression test.jpg|thumb|200 px|Measuring the compressive strength of a steel [[Drum (container)|drum]]]]

In [[mechanics]], '''compressive strength''' (or '''compression strength''') is the capacity of a material or [[Structural system|structure]] to withstand [[Structural load|load]]s tending to reduce size ([[Compression (physics)|compression]]). It is opposed to ''[[tensile strength]]'' which withstands loads tending to elongate, resisting [[Tension (physics)|tension]] (being pulled apart). In the study of [[strength of materials]], compressive strength, tensile strength, and [[shear strength]] can be analyzed independently.

Some materials [[fracture]] at their compressive strength limit; others [[Plasticity (physics)|deform irreversibly]], so a given amount of [[Deformation (engineering)|deformation]] may be considered as the limit for compressive load. Compressive strength is a key value for [[Structural engineering|design of structures]].

Compressive strength is often measured on a [[universal testing machine]]. Measurements of compressive strength are affected by the specific [[test method]] and conditions of measurement. Compressive strengths are usually reported in relationship to a specific [[technical standard]].