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Explanation of Ductile and Brittle Materials in Structural Design

In structural engineering, ductile materials are those that can undergo significant plastic deformation before failure, while brittle materials fail suddenly without warning when the yield strength is reached.

Ductile materials, such as steel and aluminum, are preferred in structural design because they can absorb more energy before failure, providing a more gradual and predictable response to loading.

On the other hand, brittle materials, like cast iron and concrete, have limited elongation capabilities and tend to fail abruptly once their strength limit is exceeded, making them less suitable for structures that require flexibility or resilience.

Structural designers must carefully consider the material properties, loading conditions, and expected failure modes when selecting materials for a project to ensure the safety and durability of the structure.

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