Structural support elements that resist compression forces in buildings, vehicles, or mechanical systems. They provide stability and transfer loads between different parts of a structure.
From Middle English 'strutten' meaning 'to swell out' or 'stick out stiffly'. Originally described the proud, stiff-legged walk of birds, later applied to rigid structural supports that 'stick out' to provide support.
The same engineering principle behind struts appears in bird bones, which are hollow tubes that maximize strength while minimizing weight. Modern aircraft wings use struts that can handle forces equivalent to several elephants while weighing less than a person.
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