Elastic anisotropy

Elastic anisotropy refers to the way certain materials respond differently to stress depending on the direction of that stress. Imagine a rubber band; when you stretch it, it reacts uniformly. However, some materials, like certain crystals or layered substances, may stretch more in one direction than another. This unique behavior is important in fields such as engineering and geology, as it affects how materials can be used and how they behave under various conditions, such as in earthquake-prone areas or when designing structures like bridges and buildings.