Bridges and Forces

The state of being pulled apart or stretched tight

• Compression

• Tension

• Torsion

• Sheer

The state of being push together or crushed

• Compression

• Tension

• Torsion

• Sheer

The state of being twisted

• Compression

• Tension

• Torsion

• Sheer

A force acting in a direction that's parallel to a surface or cross section of a body

• Compression

• Tension

• Torsion

• Sheer

Resistance to being bent out of shape

• Rigidity

• Buckling

• Dead Load

• Live Load

What happens when the force of compression overcomes an object’s ability to handle it.

• Rigidity

• Buckling

• Dead Load

• Live Load

The load associated with the structure itself.  For example, steel beams, concrete and other building materials are considered the dead load.

• Rigidity

• Buckling

• Dead Load

• Live Load

Any other force applied to the structure due to traffic, people, wind, snow, earthquakes, etc.

• Rigidity

• Buckling

• Dead Load

• Live Load

The tendency of matter to increase in length, area, or volume, changing its size and density, in response to an increase in temperature

• Snapping

• Bending

• Transfer

• Thermal Expansion

To move force from an area of weakness to an area of strength.

• Snapping

• Bending

• Transfer

• Thermal Expansion