What is the formula for Bulk or Volume modulus (k) ?
Posted in Elasticity | Email This Post |Bulk or Volume modulus (k) is defined as the ratio of volume stress to volume strain within elastic limit. In other words if the Hooke’s Law is followed, a small change in pressure produces a proportional change in volume. Bulk modulus of material indicates its resistance to change in volume. It corresponds to volumetric strain.
A body subjected to a uniform compressive force has its volume decreased and the resultant strain is a bulk or volume strain. Consider Δv as the change in volume and V is the original volume, then If F is the total compressive force acting on a total area A, then
Bulk stress = Force / Area = Pressure (P)
Bulk modulus (k) = Bulk Stress/ Bulk strain
If Pressure (P) is the stress applied i.e. (force/unit area) then,
Bulk strain = Δv / V
The formula for Bulk or Volume modulus (k) is given as,
The unit for bulk modulus is ‘newton metre-2 (N m-2). The single term unit which is widely used for bulk modulus is ‘pascal’ with symbol ‘Pa’.