Step 1: Understanding stress types.
Compressive stress occurs when materials are subjected to forces that compress or shorten the material. This type of stress leads to the dimensional shortening of the material along the direction of the applied force.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Flexural stress: Flexural stress is associated with bending of materials, not shortening.
(B) Shear stress: Shear stress involves forces that cause one part of a material to slide past another, but it does not lead to dimensional shortening.
(C) Tensile stress: Tensile stress causes materials to stretch or elongate, not shorten.
(D) Compressive stress: Correct — Compressive stress leads to dimensional shortening of materials.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) Compressive stress, as it causes dimensional shortening.