1. Tension and Compression

2. Compression This pressure is like a squeeze or a push. Think of the books on the 3 little houses.

3. Tension The pressure if like a pull. Think of a tug-of- war and the shopping bag test.

4. When the beam fails… When the weight of the object is too great for the tension strength of the beam, it buckles and fails.

5. For example…

6. And…

7. How does this work with bridges? The structure will be strong (sound) if the two post have good compressive strength, with the beam must have good tension strength. The tension strength is the factor that causes the beam to buckle or support the weight.