bulk modulus of elasticity

bulk modulus of elasticity

[¦bəlk ′mäj·‚·ləs əv i‚las′tis·əd·ē]

(mechanics)

The ratio of the compressive or tensile force applied to a substance per unit surface area to the change in volume of the substance per unit volume. Also known as bulk modulus; compression modulus; hydrostatic modulus; modulus of compression; modulus of volume elasticity.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

bulk modulus of elasticity, modulus of volume elasticity

A number expressing a material’s resistance to elastic changes in volume; the ratio between a pressure that acts on a material (to change its volume) and the fractional change in volume so produced, within the elastic limit of the material.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.