Poisson’s ratio   It is the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain and it is constant with in the elastic limit of the material.  Poisson's Ratio is generally denoted by  'μ ' or  u The ratio is named after the French mathematician and physicist Siméon Poisson . Note: The tensile longitudinal stress produces compressive lateral strains or the compressive longitudinal stress produces tensile lateral strains. (+ve Longitudinal strains produce -ve lateral strains or vice versa)     Let us consider a rectangular bar of cross section (bxd) and length l and it is subjected to a axial load acts in the direction of length of the bar. The longitudinal tensile strain in the bar  e  longitudinal   = δl / l Lateral compressive strains in the directions of breadth b and  depth d of bar e lateral  = δb/ b and  e lateral    =   δd /d where δl = Change in length δb = Change in width =b' - b δd = Change in depth = ...
Lecture Notes