Ductility is a dimensionless quantity commonly defined as the ability of a material to deform easily upon the application of a tensile force or as the ability of a material to withstand plastic deformation without rupture. Ductility is important in allowing a structure to survive extreme loads, such as those due to large pressure changes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, without experiencing a sudden failure or collapse. It is defined as:
In the case of the tension test, ductility is measured by a percent reduction in area. It measures the amount of necking (or change in cross-sectional area) that occurs before the ultimate failure as follows:

