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Glite Dictionary
modulus of rigidity

modulus of rigidity

9.6
A measure of how well a material resists change in shape when layers slide past each other
  • noun
  • /ˈmɒdʒʊləs əv rɪˈdʒɪdəti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : módulo de rigidez
  • A high modulus of rigidity indicates a stiff material.

Examples

  • The modulus of rigidity for steel is much greater than for rubber.

  • Engineers must consider the modulus of rigidity when designing bridges.

  • An increase in temperature can decrease the modulus of rigidity of certain materials.

  • The modulus of rigidity is crucial for engineers.

  • Engineers calculate the modulus of rigidity to ensure materials will withstand applied forces without deforming.

  • The value of the modulus of rigidity helps determine how much a material will change shape when subjected to stress.

  • Materials with a high modulus of rigidity are essential in construction, as they resist deformation well.

Synonyms

modulus
vsmodulus of rigidity
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A number that shows how stiff a material is

measures resistance to deformation under shear by comparing shear stress to shear strain

How Rigid

rigidity
  • Specialized
3 6.0
modulus of rigidity
  • Specialized
9.6
flexibility
37 3.0

Surface Forms

modulus of rigidity singular
moduli of rigidity plural

Morphology

modulus + of + rigidity

The phrase is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: 'modulus' denotes a numerical measure and 'rigidity' denotes stiffness, so 'modulus of rigidity' literally means the measure of rigidity. Although technical, the meaning follows regular English 'modulus/of/property' patterns and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Modulus of rigidity uses the word modulus, meaning a 'measure', and rigidity, meaning 'stiffness', so it literally means a measure of how stiff a material is. It tells how much a material resists a 'sideways' push, so engineers know if the material will keep its shape under such forces.