midspan
Halfway across structure
Midspan refers to the middle point or section of a span, most commonly used in engineering and construction to describe the center of a bridge, beam, or structural member between its supports.
This is where stress and deflection are typically greatest, making it a critical point for structural analysis.
The engineer measured deflection at midspan to assess the bridge's integrity.
In telecommunications, midspan also refers to devices that inject power into network cables at a point between switches and endpoints.
Temporary halt or exclusion
- cable-stayedSupported by diagonal tendons
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- sagSink from weight
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
hanger · deck · girder · truss · cantilever · arch · viaduct · aqueduct
Structural support member
- girderMain structural support beam
- joistHorizontal structural beam
- rafterSloped roof support
- purlinHorizontal rafter support
stringer · lintel · truss · moment · bending · deflection · load-bearing · stress
State of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- centerednessState of inner balance
- distributionAllocation across recipients
- tensionStretched or strained state
sag · deflection · symmetry · counterbalance · equipoise · levelness · alignment · centering
Middle of anything
- halfwayAt the midpoint
- lengthMeasure of extent
- distanceSpace between two points
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
elevation · surveying · calculation · tolerance · alignment · dimension · positioning · calibration
suspension
Temporary halt or exclusion
- cable-stayedSupported by diagonal tendons
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- sagSink from weight
cable · hanger · deck · girder · truss · cantilever · arch · viaduct · aqueduct · footbridge
beam
Structural support member
purlin · stringer · lintel · truss · moment · bending · deflection · load-bearing · stress · tension
equilibrium
State of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- centerednessState of inner balance
- distributionAllocation across recipients
tension · sag · deflection · symmetry · counterbalance · equipoise · levelness · alignment · centering · adjustment
center
Middle of anything
clearance · elevation · surveying · calculation · tolerance · alignment · dimension · positioning · calibration