Engineering TSA Tech Bowl Study Guide

Sections: Structural, Mechanical, Robotics

compression

the application of balanced inward forces to different points on a material or structure

tension

the pulling or stretching force transmitted axially along an object such as a string, rope, chain, rod, truss member, or other object, so as to stretch or pull apart the object. In terms of force, it is the opposite of compression.

shear

where parallel planes within a material slide past one another, causing deformation, often transforming shapes like rectangles into parallelograms

Torsion

the twisting of a structural member or object caused by equal and opposite torques (twisting moments) applied at its ends