What is direct strain?

Direct strain, also known as normal strain, refers to the deformation of a material when subjected to axial loads, leading to a change in length relative to its original length. It is quantified as the ratio of the change in length (elongation or contraction) to the original length of the material. Direct strain can occur in tension, compression, or shear, and is a critical parameter in assessing the mechanical behavior of materials under stress. This concept is essential in fields such as engineering and materials science for designing structures and components.