Reading stress-strain diagrams: timber versus low-carbon steel

What this note covers

1. Read the axes before naming the shape
2. Follow low-carbon steel through elastic and plastic response
3. Timber behaviour depends on direction and loading mode
4. Proof stress locates a specified permanent strain
5. Areas distinguish resilience from toughness
6. Turn graph features into a qualified material selection
7. Worked graph comparison: resilience versus toughness
8. Worked 0.2% proof-stress construction from tabulated data

8 sections · 10 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes