What Does
Relative Lateral Strain Mean?
Relative lateral strain is the strain experienced by a material in a direction normal to the applied load. It is an important component of Poisson's ratio which is the ratio of the relative lateral strain to the relative axial strain. Poisson's ratio varies with the material. When a load is applied along the axis, an axial strain is produced along with a lateral strain that is perpendicular to the axis.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Relative Lateral Strain
The lateral strain produced in a bar is associated with a decrease in the original width of the material. The lateral strain (ε) can be given as the change in the lateral dimension or width of the material (ΔD) divided by its original width (D).
ε = ΔD / D
When the axial stress is positive, it produces a positive axial strain and a negative lateral strain. When the axial stress is negative, the axial strain is negative and the lateral strain is positive.