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

# Define resilience in brief

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

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2070 Chaitra (old course), 1 marks; 2066 Shrawan (old course), 2 marks (asked 3 times)
- 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-resilience
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-1

## Question

Define resilience as a property of materials.

## Short answer

Resilience is the capacity to store strain energy within the elastic limit and release it on unloading, measured by the area under the elastic stress‑strain curve. Its modulus is (elastic limit stress) squared divided by (2 × Young's modulus), with units of J/m³; steel springs exhibit high resilience.

## Answer

**Resilience** is the capacity of a material to store strain energy when deformed within the elastic limit and to give it back on unloading. It is measured by the area under the elastic part of the stress-strain curve.

$$
\text{Modulus of resilience} = \frac{\sigma_e^2}{2E}
$$

where $\sigma_e$ is the stress at the elastic limit (or proof stress) and $E$ is Young's modulus. Its unit is $\text{N/mm}^2$ (N·mm/mm$^3$) or J/m$^3$. Steel springs have high resilience.

## Check yourself

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

1. Resilience is the capacity to
   A. store strain energy within the elastic limit and return it on unloading
   B. absorb energy up to fracture
   C. resist scratching
   D. be drawn into wires
   Answer: A. Energy up to fracture is toughness. (Key point: Definition)

2. Modulus of resilience is
   A. sigma_e / E
   B. sigma_e^2 / (2E)
   C. 2E / sigma_e^2
   D. E x sigma_e
   Answer: B. It is the area under the elastic part: sigma_e^2/2E. (Key point: Formula)

3. Which has high resilience?
   A. Clay
   B. Putty
   C. Steel springs
   D. Wet lime
   Answer: C. Steel springs store and return energy well. (Key point: Example)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

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