normal stress

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | 268 words | Copyright

normal stress (σ) The stress which acts perpendicularly to the plane to which a force has been applied. Normal compressive stresses (with positive values) inhibit sliding along a plane; normal tensile stresses (with negative values) separate rocks along a plane.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "normal stress." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "normal stress." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-normalstress.html

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