a measure of the elastic properties of a material expressed as the ratio of the fractional contraction in breadth to the fractional increase in length when the material is stretched
Symbol: μ, ν
Poisson's ratio in American English
Physics
an elastic constant of a material equal to the ratio of contraction sideways to expansion lengthwise when the material is stretched
Word origin
see Poisson distribution
Poisson's ratio in Mechanical Engineering
(pwɑsoʊnz reɪʃoʊ)
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Materials)
The Poisson's ratio is the decrease in the breadth or thickness of a bar when it is stretched by a particular amount.
This term is named for French mathematician Siméon Poisson (1781-1840)
The ratio of the lateral contraction of a material to the longitudinal extensionis Poisson's ratio.
Cork and concrete are materials with a very low value of Poisson's ratio.
The Poisson's ratio is the decrease in the breadth or thickness of a bar when it is stretched by a particularamount.