Compressive stress is a mechanical force that causes a material to deform to occupy a smaller volume. It is the opposite of tensile stress, which pulls an object apart. Compressive stress is a crucial parameter in materials engineering because it determines whether a material is suitable for a given application. Compressive stress is defined as the force that is responsible for the deformation of the material such that the volume of the material reduces. It is the stress experienced by a material that leads to a smaller volume. High compressive stress leads to failure of the material due to tension. Compressive stress is often used in construction to hold objects together, such as in building a bridge. The formula for calculating compressive stress is σ = F/A, where σ is the compressive stress, F is the compressive force, and A is the unit area. The SI unit of compressive stress is Pascal (Pa) or Nm-2.