How exactly are the positive and negative signs of stress assigned?
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I can’t see the logic behind how these plus and minus signs are determined. What is the difference between Figure A and Figure B? Why is a plus sign used in one and a minus sign in the other? Could someone expert give some guidance? Thank you!
Tensile stress is positive, while compressive stress is negative
You can understand it simply this way: stress is the tendency that causes a object to deform under compression (pushing) or expansion (pulling). Applying a force to an object along an axis causes it to tend to compress, which is considered negative, while it causes the object to tend to expand, which is considered positive