What is the term used to describe the crushing force that shortens material along its axis?

The term used to describe the crushing force that shortens material along its axis is compression. This form of loading occurs when a material is subjected to forces that push or pull it inward, causing it to decrease in length. When a structural element, such as a column or a beam, is subjected to compressive forces, it tends to become shorter and might also experience buckling if the load exceeds a critical level.

In design and material science, understanding the behavior of materials under compression is crucial since it affects stability and integrity. Compression is commonly encountered in various applications, including bridges and buildings, where vertical loads act on structural supports. Analyzing how materials perform under such forces enables engineers to create safe and effective structures.

The other terms represent different types of forces: tension refers to forces that stretch materials; shear describes forces that slide layers of material relative to each other; and bending involves a combination of tensile and compressive forces along a beam. Each of these mechanisms influences material behavior differently, but in the context of the question, compression specifically addresses the shortening effect along the axis due to axial loading.