Strength characteristics refer to the properties of materials that determine their ability to withstand applied forces without failure. These characteristics include tensile strength, which measures how much pulling force a material can handle, and compressive strength, which assesses how well a material can resist being pushed together. Other important factors include shear strength, which evaluates a material's ability to resist sliding forces, and fatigue strength, which indicates how well a material can endure repeated loading over time. Understanding strength characteristics is crucial in fields like engineering and construction, where materials such as steel, concrete, and wood are used. By analyzing these properties, engineers can select the right materials for specific applications, ensuring safety and durability in structures like bridges, buildings, and machinery.