Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

In structural engineering, which of the following components does NOT typically resist bending?

1. Braces

2. Beams

3. Columns

4. Floor joists

The correct answer is: Columns

In structural engineering, the primary function of columns is to carry axial loads, meaning they support weight vertically. Columns are designed to withstand compressive forces and are primarily responsible for transferring loads from the structure to the foundation. While a column may experience bending due to lateral forces such as wind or seismic activities, its primary resistance function is not primarily to bending but to compression. Other components such as beams and floor joists are specifically designed to resist bending forces. They span between supports and counteract loads, making them essential in maintaining structural integrity under various loading conditions. Braces typically provide lateral support and maintain the overall stability of a structure, which can also involve bending under certain circumstances, but they are generally not meant to resist bending in the same way as beams or joists do. Thus, it is clear that among the choices provided, columns do not typically resist bending and therefore fulfill a different structural role.