are compressive strength and brittle the same thing..if not then what is the difference?
Compressive strength and brittleness are not the same thing, although they are related to the mechanical behavior of materials. Let me explain the difference between them.
Compressive strength refers to a material's ability to withstand applied compressive forces without breaking or deforming permanently. It is typically tested by applying a gradually increasing load to a specimen until it fails under compression. Compressive strength is an important property as it determines the maximum load a material can bear under compression, such as in columns, walls, or foundations.
On the other hand, brittleness refers to the tendency of a material to fracture or break with little or no plastic deformation when subjected to stress. Brittle materials have a low tolerance for deformation before failure and typically break into two or more pieces. Examples of brittle materials include glass, ceramics, and cast iron.
While compressive strength measures the maximum load a material can bear under compression, brittleness characterizes the behavior of a material when subjected to stress. In other words, a material can have high compressive strength but still be brittle if it fractures with little deformation.
It's worth noting that brittleness is just one aspect of a material's behavior, and materials can exhibit a range of mechanical properties including stiffness, ductility, and toughness. Different materials possess different combinations of these properties, which can affect their suitability for specific applications. The distinction between compressive strength and brittleness is important when considering the choice of materials for specific structural or functional requirements.