Strain measures the deformation experienced by a material when subjected to the stress. It is the dimensionless quantity. It expressed as the fractional change its dimensions.
Normal Strain It is defined as the change in the dimension per unit original dimension. Normal strain measures the change in the dimension.
Normal strain has three types 1. Longitudinal strain: Dimension change occurs in the direction of loading.
2. Lateral strain: Dimension change occurs in the perpendicular direction of loading.
3. Volumetric strain: Defined as the change in the volume to its original volume.
Shear Strain It is defined as the change in angle between two mutually perpendicular planes. Shear strain measures the change in the shape.
Article suitable for
Aerospace
Automotive
Mechanical Engineering
Opportunities that await you!
Career opportunities
Our Alumni Work At
Why people choose EveryEng
Industry-aligned articles, expert knowledge, hands-on learning, and career-relevant topics—all in a flexible and supportive environment.
Industry Veteran
Community Reviews
More from this author
Other articles by the same author — same voice, same depth.
Technical Courses
Articles
Grow your career in the same domain
Courses that turn the ideas in this article into hands-on skills.
Pre-recorded
Online live session
Offline
Articles
Engineers like you also picked
Recommended based on what other readers enrolled in after this article.
Build the full skill — pair this with
Courses readers most often take after engaging with this topic.
Branch out — adjacent skills worth exploring
New directions other readers picked up alongside this topic.