Which term describes the capacity of a structure to resist being pulled apart?

Which term describes the capacity of a structure to resist being pulled apart?

• A. Tension
• B. Compression
• C. Dead load
• D. Live loads

Answer: (A)

When a structure faces forces that try to pull it apart along its length, the relevant idea is tension. Tension describes the axial pulling forces a member resists, and it relates to how much pulling apart a material or connection can withstand. The other terms point to different ideas: compression is about being pushed together and shortened, while dead load and live loads are types of loads that act on the structure rather than its resistance to pull-apart forces. So tension best captures the concept of resisting being pulled apart.

When a structure faces forces that try to pull it apart along its length, the relevant idea is tension. Tension describes the axial pulling forces a member resists, and it relates to how much pulling apart a material or connection can withstand. The other terms point to different ideas: compression is about being pushed together and shortened, while dead load and live loads are types of loads that act on the structure rather than its resistance to pull-apart forces. So tension best captures the concept of resisting being pulled apart.