Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Achieve success on your exam!

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Which type of brace is used to resist tension in a structural system?

Strut
Clamp
Tie
Joint

The correct answer is: Tie

In structural engineering, a brace is a member that provides support to a structure by resisting lateral forces. When considering the type of brace specifically designed to resist tension, the correct term is "tie." Ties are structural elements that are intended to resist tensile forces, effectively pulling or holding other structural members together. In contrast, the term "strut" refers to an element that resists compressive forces. Struts are designed to withstand pushing forces without buckling. A "clamp" typically does not serve a structural role related to tension or compression but is rather a fastening device that holds components together. Lastly, a "joint" refers to the connection point between structural elements and does not directly resist tension on its own. Therefore, within a structural system focused on tension resistance, the designated role of a tie is to absorb and transfer tensile forces, making it the appropriate choice for this question.