Topic: Strength of Materials
In most brittle materials, the ultimate strength in compression is larger than the ultimate strength in tension due to
- A. Necking in tension
- B. Presence of flaws and microscopic cracks or cavities
- C. Non-linearity of stress-strain diagram
- D. Severity of tensile stress as compared to compressive stress
Answer: B. Presence of flaws and microscopic cracks or cavities
Explanation: In brittle materials, the ultimate strength in compression is larger than the ultimate strength in tension due to the presence of flaws and microscopic cracks or cavities that propagate rapidly under tension.