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V. Ryan 2001 - 2009

STRUTS AND TIES

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An understanding of the terms, struts, and ties is important, as these can be mentioned in examinations. All structures
have forces acting on them. You should have an understanding of tensile, compressive and shear forces (see previous sheet).
The part of the structure that has a tensile force acting on it is called a TIE and the part that has a compressive force acting
on it is called a STRUT.
WALL

ROOF

The beam is held in position by a steel The roof beams are under pressure from
rod. The weight of the beam is stretching the weight of the tiles on the roof
the rod (tensile force).
(compressive force).
The floor beam is being stretched
(tensile force).

FLAGPOLE
The wires on either side of the flagpole
are being stretched (tensile force).
Why is the pole under a compressive
force ?

In the diagram opposite, forces act across the entire length of

the beam (it bends because of the weight of the person). When
a structure bends like this, it is in tension, as it is being

stretched.

1. Draw an example of a structure and identify which part(s)

are in tension and which are in compression.
2. Explain the difference between tension and compression.

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