Lateral Strain from Poisson's Ratio
Mediumpoissonstrain
A steel bar is stretched to an axial strain of 0.0012. Poisson's ratio is 0.30. The lateral strain is most nearly:
- A−0.00012
- B−0.00036
- C−0.0012
- D−0.0040
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Answer: B. −0.00036
Poisson's ratio relates lateral contraction to axial extension: εlat = −νεax = −(0.30)(0.0012) = −0.00036, or −360 microstrain. The negative sign is the point — the bar narrows as it lengthens. Dividing by ν instead of multiplying gives −0.0040.
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