ovalize

present singular third person ovalizes · participle present ovalizing · participle past ovalized · past ovalized

1. Of a circle, to become stretched out in one direction, thereby becoming an oval.

   The pipe partially restrains the elbow from ovalization but the elbow tendency to ovalize forces the pipe to ovalize.

   1974, I. S. Tuba, R. A. Selby, Wallace B. Wright, Pressure Vessels and Piping: Analysis and Computers, page 99

   2 more examples

   Under the effect of soil and external loads, the buried pipe will tend to ovalize, causing through-wall bending stresses.

   2003, G. A. Antaki, Piping and Pipeline Engineering, page 285

   We say “in theory” because the cross section of a thin-walled tube can ovalize upon bending, which can lead to a local collapse of the tube.

   2012, Karl J. Niklas, Hanns-Christof Spatz, Plant Physics, page 192