Which failure mode is specifically associated with excessive compressive loads?

The correct answer is associated with excessive compressive loads because buckling occurs when a structural member experiences instability due to an applied compressive force. When the load exceeds a certain threshold, it can cause the member to deform laterally, leading to a failure mode characterized by a sudden change in geometry rather than material failure. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in slender members such as columns, where their length-to-diameter ratio can significantly influence their load-bearing capacity.

Tensile failure refers to the failure of a material under tension; shear failure involves forces that cause sliding between material layers; and fatigue failure is a process that results from repeated loading over time until a material eventually fails. Each of these failure modes is linked to different loading conditions and material behaviors, but buckling is uniquely associated with compressive loads.