1. What is Strain?

Strain (ε) is a dimensionless measure of deformation representing the displacement between particles in a material body relative to a reference length. It quantifies how much a material deforms under stress.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the strain equation:

Where:

• \( \epsilon \) — Strain (dimensionless)
• \( \Delta L \) — Change in length (m)
• \( L \) — Original length (m)

Explanation: Strain is calculated as the ratio of the change in length to the original length of the material.

3. Importance of Strain Calculation

Details: Strain calculation is fundamental in materials science and engineering for understanding material behavior under stress, designing structures, and predicting failure points.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both change in length (ΔL) and original length (L) in meters. The original length must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the units of strain?
A: Strain is dimensionless - it's a ratio of lengths and has no units.

Q2: What's the difference between engineering strain and true strain?
A: Engineering strain uses original length (as in this calculator), while true strain uses instantaneous length during deformation.

Q3: What are typical strain values?
A: For many materials, elastic strains are typically less than 0.005 (0.5%), while plastic strains can be much higher.

Q4: How does strain relate to stress?
A: In the elastic region, stress and strain are related by Young's modulus (E) through Hooke's Law: σ = Eε.

Q5: Can strain be negative?
A: Yes, negative strain indicates compression (shortening), while positive strain indicates tension (elongation).