Final answer:
The strength of a short steel column loaded at its centroid is governed by compression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strength of a short steel column loaded at its centroid is governed by compression. Compression is the type of stress that occurs when forces act to squeeze or compress an object, causing it to shorten or decrease in volume.
When a steel column is loaded at its centroid, it experiences compressive stress, which is the response of the material to the applied forces. The ability of the steel column to withstand this compressive stress without buckling or collapsing determines its strength.