Which term is used for the distribution factor related to deflection in bridge design?

• A. Deflection Factor
• B. Load Factor
• C. Distribution Factor for Deflection
• D. Shear Factor

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how deflection from a load is shared among different parts of a bridge. When multiple spans or elements are connected, they must deflect in a way that keeps joints and bearings compatible. To quantify how much of the total deflection goes to each member, engineers use a distribution factor for deflection. This term specifically denotes the portion of deflection allocated to each element, which helps ensure the overall structure behaves cohesively under load.

The other terms don’t fit as well: a Deflection Factor would imply a general measure of deflection without distributing it among members; a Load Factor relates to safety factors on loads rather than how deflection is distributed; a Shear Factor pertains to shear, not deflection distribution.