Difference Between Stress and Strain

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Difference Between Stress and Strain

On the application of external force, the material experiences stress and strain. The amount of force acting per unit area is termed stress but the strain is the effect of stress on a body. Stress is the amount of force applied on an object and due to the application of force, the material gets deformed. The measure of deformation is the strain developed in the material.

The students are mostly confused about the difference between stress and strain. We have discussed here the differences between stress and strain on various parameters to boost the concept and clear all the doubts related to it. So go through the full article carefully to check the difference between stress and strain in detail. Also, bookmark this website for the best study notes for the preparation of your upcoming exams and for latest Engineering Job Updates.

Stress

When a body is subjected to any external force it gets deformation in its shape. The force per unit area applied on the body is known as stress. Stress is a scaler quantity and is represented by σ (signa). The SI unit of stress is Nm^-2and the dimensional formula for stress is ML^-1T^-2

Formula For Stress

The formula to calculate the stress developed in the material is given by σ = F/A

Where, σ = stress

F = Force Applied (in N)

A = Area of Surface (in m²)

Types of Stress

The stress is of the following types as given here.

Tensile Stress
Compressive Stress
Shear Stress

Strain

The strain is the measure of amount of deformation in original shape of the body when an external force is applied on the material. It is obtained by dividing deformation developed in the direction of the application of force dividing to the original dimension of the object. Stress has no unit. It is represented by ε (epsilon).

Formula For Strain

ε = δl/L

Where, ε = strain

δl = change in length or dimension

L = original length or dimension.

Types of Strain

There are the following types of strain as given below.

Tensile Stress
Compressive Stress
Shear Stress
Volumetric Stress

Difference Between Stress and Strain

The major differences between Strain and Strain based on various parameters are tabulated below.

Particulars	Stress	Strain
Definition	The amount of deforming force acting on the unit area of the body is known as stress.	Strain is the change in the dimension of the body on the application of external force to the original dimension of the body.
Unit	The SI unit of stress is Nm^-2or Pascal.	Strain is a unitless quantity.
Symbol/Representation	Stress is represented by σ.	Strain is represented by ε.
Formula	The formula for stress is σ = F/A.	The formula for strain is ε = δl/L.
Types	Stresses are mainly three types – Tensile, Compressive, and Shear stress.	Stresses are mainly four types – Tensile, Compressive, Shear, and Volumetric.
Occurrence	Stress can be exist without strain.	Strain cannot exist without stress.