What type of stress involves pushing forces?

Compression is the term used to describe a type of stress that occurs when forces are applied to push material closer together. When an object experiences compressive stress, it is subject to opposing forces that attempt to shorten or compact it. This kind of stress is crucial in various engineering applications, particularly in structures like columns and beams, where materials must withstand loads without failing.

In contrast, sheer stress is related to forces that act parallel to the surface of a material, causing different parts of the material to slide past one another. Tension, on the other hand, refers to pulling forces that tend to stretch a material, while bending involves a combination of tension and compression caused by moments applied to a beam or structure. Hence, understanding the nature of these stresses is essential for proper material selection and structural design in aviation and other engineering fields.