Architectural Design Checkpoint 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Tension refers to a type of force that acts to elongate or pull apart structural elements. When a material is subjected to tension, it experiences an axial force that stretches it, which can lead to extension in length and potential failure if the material reaches its tensile strength limits.

This is particularly important in architectural design, as understanding how different elements respond to tension is critical when designing structures that can withstand various loads and stresses. Examples of structural elements that commonly experience tension include cables in suspension bridges and the cables used in cable-stayed structures. The ability to manage tension forces effectively is essential for ensuring stability and safety in architectural design.

In contrast to tension, other forces such as compression, shear, and bending involve different interactions with materials; compression pushes elements together, shear involves sliding forces, and bending combines tension and compression in a curved manner. Each of these forces has its distinct characteristics and implications for structural design.