Mild Steel — Ultimate Strength in Tension vs Compression For mild steel tested under quasi-static loading, the ultimate tensile strength is generally how related to the ultimate compressive strength?

Introduction:
Material behavior in tension and compression can differ significantly. Brittle materials like cast iron are much stronger in compression than tension, whereas ductile metals such as mild steel show comparable strength in both modes under standard tests.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Material: mild steel (ductile, low carbon).
• Quasi-static tests; effects of buckling or instability not governing the compressive result.
• Uniform specimens and standard test conditions.

Concept / Approach:
For ductile metals, yielding is governed by shear-dominated criteria, making tensile and compressive flow behavior similar. Ultimate values measured in laboratory compression (with short, stocky specimens to avoid buckling) are close to tensile ultimate strengths, unlike brittle materials.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Recognize ductile response: large plastic strains before fracture.Compression test on stubby specimen avoids buckling; stress–strain curve mirrors tensile plastic flow up to similar stress levels.Conclude ultimate strengths are approximately equal for mild steel.

Verification / Alternative check:
Handbook data typically list UTS for mild steel around 400–550 MPa and compressive ultimate of similar magnitude when buckling is not limiting.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
less than: not characteristic of ductile steels; applies more to certain polymers or special conditions.more than: strong compression dominance is typical of brittle materials like cast iron, not mild steel.not applicable: laboratories do define compressive limits with proper specimens.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing structural buckling (a stability failure) with material compressive strength; columns may fail early due to buckling, but that is not material ultimate strength.

Final Answer:
equal to