Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Achieve success on your exam!

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What type of force is compression?

Pulling force
Torsional force
Crushing or pressing force
Bending force

The correct answer is: Crushing or pressing force

Compression is defined as a force that acts to reduce the volume of a material by pressing or crushing it. This type of force can be observed in various engineering contexts, such as in structural components that support loads, where they are subjected to axial loads that push inward towards the center. In materials science and structural engineering, compression is essential for understanding how materials behave under loads. For instance, when a column in a building supports the weight of the structure above it, the forces applied create a compressive stress in the column material. Recognizing compression as a crushing or pressing force is crucial for designs that ensure stability and integrity, as excessive compression can lead to failure modes such as buckling or crushing.