A short, squat column in structural terms is called what?

A short, squat column in structural terms is called what?

• A. Pier
• B. Column
• C. Post
• D. Stanchion

Answer: (A)

Vertical load-bearing members come in different forms depending on how they carry load and their proportions. A short, squat vertical support that carries substantial weight, such as under arches or bridging spans, is called a pier because it represents a heavy, bulky pillar that transfers loads straight down to the foundation. Columns are typically slender members within a framework rather than bulky supports by themselves. A post is usually a timber or metal member used in framing, not the heavy arch-support type described. A stanchion refers to a vertical support used in machinery, scaffolding, or temporary structures, not the primary load-carrying element under arches. So the term that fits a heavy, stout vertical support is pier.

Vertical load-bearing members come in different forms depending on how they carry load and their proportions. A short, squat vertical support that carries substantial weight, such as under arches or bridging spans, is called a pier because it represents a heavy, bulky pillar that transfers loads straight down to the foundation. Columns are typically slender members within a framework rather than bulky supports by themselves. A post is usually a timber or metal member used in framing, not the heavy arch-support type described. A stanchion refers to a vertical support used in machinery, scaffolding, or temporary structures, not the primary load-carrying element under arches. So the term that fits a heavy, stout vertical support is pier.