Three types of static stresses:

Tensile stress
While pulling (tensile) force acts on a material, and it tends to increase the length in the
tensile force direction. The material elongates, hence the cross-section area decreases.
Compressive stress
While pushing (compressive) force acts on a material, and it tends to decrease the length
in the compressive direction. The material shortens, hence the cross-section area
increases.
Shear stress
When forces equal in magnitude and in opposite direction are applied on a thin element,
the element deflects causing the material to shear. In other words, the shear force will
cause the internal structures of the material to slide against each other.