---
title: "Define brittleness in brief"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:property-brittleness"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/property-brittleness
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define brittleness in brief

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 1: Introduction to Civil Engineering Material

- Asked in: 2078 Bhadra, 1 marks; 2068 Chaitra, 1 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Understanding Material Strength, Ductility and Toughness](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSRqJdT2COE) — The Efficient Engineer
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/property-brittleness
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-1

## Question

Explain briefly the property brittleness.

## Short answer

Brittleness is the property of fracturing suddenly with little plastic deformation and no warning. Brittle materials like cast iron, glass, brick, stone and concrete have a short plastic range and fail near the elastic limit.

## Answer

**Brittleness** is the property of a material to fracture suddenly with little or no plastic deformation and no warning. Brittle materials have a short plastic range and are weak in tension and under impact.

Examples: cast iron, glass, brick, stone and concrete. In the stress-strain curve, fracture occurs almost at the elastic limit.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. A brittle material fractures
   A. after large necking
   B. only after many cycles
   C. slowly after a long time
   D. suddenly with little plastic deformation and no warning
   Answer: D. That is the definition of brittleness. (Key point: Definition)

2. Which is brittle?
   A. Cast iron
   B. Mild steel
   C. Copper
   D. Lead
   Answer: A. Cast iron, glass, brick, stone, concrete are brittle. (Key point: Examples)

3. On the stress-strain curve of a brittle material, fracture occurs
   A. after a long plastic range
   B. almost at the elastic limit
   C. after strain hardening
   D. after necking
   Answer: B. The plastic range is very short. (Key point: Curve)

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