Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

A truss is best defined as a structural unit made from straight bars. This type of construction is used to support loads across a span, utilizing the geometric arrangement of the straight bars to distribute forces efficiently. Trusses are designed to be lightweight yet strong, relying on the rigidity of the straight elements to maintain their shape while transferring loads from one point to another.

In contrast, bent bars are typically utilized in other structural applications but do not characterize a truss. Solid structures without joints, while stable, do not allow for the tension and compression that are essential in a truss design. Finally, a framework made from flexible materials would not possess the rigidity necessary for effective load-bearing that characterizes truss systems. Thus, the definition emphasizing straight bars is the most accurate in defining what constitutes a truss.