Britannica AI Icon

crushing strength

geology
Also known as: compressive strength, cube strength

Quick Summary

Crushing strength, in geology, refers to the maximum compressive stress a brittle solid, like rock, can withstand before fracturing. This property is crucial in understanding how rocks behave under pressure.12

Compressive strength tests measure the load a material can bear before breaking. Brittle materials such as rock can exhibit high compressive strengths but will eventually fracture. For instance, granite can withstand about 10 tons per square inch. The crushing strength of rocks is influenced by factors like confining pressure, temperature, and the presence of fluids within the rock. Understanding these properties is vital for fields like geology, geophysics, and geotechnical engineering.324

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.