Bending in materials is a combination of which two forces?

Bending in materials indeed results from a combination of compression and tension forces. When a beam or structural member is subjected to bending, the top portion of the material experiences compressive forces, while the bottom portion experiences tensile forces. This occurs because bending creates a scenario where one side of the member is pushed together (compression) and the opposite side is pulled apart (tension).

Understanding this concept is crucial in structural analysis because materials have different properties under tension and compression, and knowing where these forces act allows engineers to design safe and effective structures. Utilizing both compression and tension in the analysis helps predict how a material will behave under load conditions and ensure that structural integrity is maintained during operation.

The other options suggest combinations of forces that do not accurately describe bending mechanics. Shear forces relate to sliding between layers of a material and are not directly responsible for the bending itself. While torsion involves twisting around a central axis, it is not a force responsible for bending as it pertains to a different type of load.