EngiRef / Materials Engineering Formula

Poisson's Ratio

Poisson's Ratio: Ratio of lateral to axial strain. A Stress & Strain formula in materials engineering. Variables ν, εₜ and εₐ, each with SI and imperial units.

Stress & Strain

Specification

Name
Poisson's Ratio
Discipline
materials
Category
Stress & Strain
LaTeX
\nu = -\frac{\varepsilon_{transverse}}{\varepsilon_{axial}}
Description
Ratio of lateral to axial strain
Conditions
Small strains; typical values depend on material
Can solve for
ν, εₜ, εₐ
Tags
poisson, ratio, lateral, contraction

Variables

Variables for Poisson's Ratio
SymbolNameUnitSi Unit
νPoisson's Ratio - -
εₜTransverse Strain - -
εₐAxial Strain - -

Common questions

What is the Poisson's Ratio formula?
Ratio of lateral to axial strain. It sits under Stress & Strain, Materials engineering in the EngiRef reference.
What do the symbols in the Poisson's Ratio formula mean?
In Poisson's Ratio, ν is poisson's ratio; εₜ is transverse strain; εₐ is axial strain.
When does the Poisson's Ratio formula apply?
Poisson's Ratio holds under this condition: Small strains; typical values depend on material.