Define the term Deformation of a body?

When an exterior force acts on the body, it suffers from stress. The stress causes some alteration in the dimension of the body. Such alterations are known as deformation in the body. The main cause of deformation is stress. There are different stress types, like normal stress and shear stress, contributing to the different types of deformation.

Types of deformations are,

• Elastic deformation

When the amount of stress caused in the body is small, and then the body undergoes elastic deformation. Elastic deformation is mostly seen in concrete, ceramic and brittle material.

• Plastic deformation

When the stress caused in the body is a huge amount, and then the body undergoes plastic deformation in which alteration made in the dimensions are permanent. The process of plastic deformation is irreversible.

• Fracture

Fracture is the point that occurs when maximum force is applied to the body, and it suffers from maximum stress. This deformation starts after the elastic deformation in this material might detach from the part where force is applied.