What term refers to the measure of how much a beam or structure deforms when subjected to a load?

The term that accurately describes the measure of how much a beam or structure deforms when subjected to a load is deflection. Deflection specifically quantifies the displacement of a structural element from its original position due to applied forces or moments. It is an important factor in engineering design because excessive deflection can indicate that a structure is not performing adequately or might not be safe for use.

Bending refers to the action that occurs when an external load causes the beam to curve, but it does not specifically measure the extent of the deformation. Flexural strength indicates the maximum stress a material can withstand when subjected to bending before failure; it is a property related to the material rather than the measure of deformation itself. Compression is a type of load that acts to reduce the length of a material but does not define the measure of deformation for beams under bending load.

Therefore, deflection is the most precise term for describing the deformation characteristics of structural beams under load.