Elastic behavior within the elastic limit Statement: If a material is loaded within its elastic limit, it will regain its original shape and size on removal of load.

Introduction / Context:
The elastic limit separates reversible (elastic) and permanent (plastic) deformation. In engineering design, service stresses are kept below the elastic limit so that components return to their original geometry after unloading and dimensional tolerances are maintained.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Material behaves linearly up to elastic limit.
• Loading and unloading are quasi-static, no significant creep.
• No residual stresses from prior plastic deformation.

Concept / Approach:
Within the elastic limit, strain is proportional to stress (Hooke’s law) and the unloading path coincides with the loading path. Therefore, when stress is removed, elastic strain vanishes and the body recovers its original dimensions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Apply stress sigma less than elastic limit.Induced strain epsilon = sigma / E.Unload: stress returns to zero, and elastic strain recovers to zero.Result: original shape and size are regained.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tension tests show linear loading–unloading loops below yield with negligible hysteresis; permanent set appears only after yielding.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Material class, temperature (within normal ranges), and loading sense do not negate the definition of elastic recovery.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming microplasticity below yield under high cycles; mixing up proportional limit with elastic limit in materials showing slight nonlinearity.

Final Answer:
Agree