What is the term for the stress that has the narrow dimension carrying the load, with top fibers in compression and bottom fibers in tension?

The term that refers to the stress where the narrow dimension is responsible for carrying the load, with the top fibers being in compression and the bottom fibers in tension, is known as extreme fiber bending. This concept is fundamental in understanding how beams and other structural elements react under load.

In extreme fiber bending, the material experiences different types of stresses on its cross-section due to the bending moment. The top fibers of the beam, which are closer to the point of application of the load, undergo compression, resulting in them being pushed together. Conversely, the bottom fibers experience tension as they are being pulled apart due to the same bending moment. This phenomenon is crucial for engineers and architects to consider when designing structures to ensure they can safely carry the applied loads without failing.

Other terms, while related to bending, do not specifically describe the condition where the load is carried in the narrow dimension with distinct compressive and tensile stresses in the fibers. Understanding these terms helps in selecting the right structural design and materials to manage forces effectively.