Compression testing is a very common testing method that is used to establish the compressive force or crush resistance of a material and the ability of the material to recover after a specified compressive force is applied and even held over a defined period of time. Compression tests are used to determine the material behaviour under a load. The maximum stress a material can sustain over a period under a load (constant or progressive) is determined.

Compression testing is often done to a break (rupture) or to a limit. When the test is performed to a break, break detection can be defined depending on the type of material being tested. When the test is performed to a limit, either a load limit or deflection limit is used.

Common compression testing results are:
– Load at Rupture
– Deflection at Rupture
– Work at Rupture
– Maximum Load
– Deflection at Maximum Load
– Work at Maximum Load
– Stiffness
– Chord Slope
– Offset Yield
– Stress
– Strain

Typical graph showing compression test:

Typical graph showing compression test to rupture: