Structural Redundancy is best described as:

• A. If one member fails, load redistributed to other members and bridge failure would not occur.
• B. Creation of multiple load paths by elements that are mechanically fastened together.
• C. Continuity of load path from span to span
• D. The three main components of a bridge

Answer: (C)

Structural redundancy means there are multiple ways for loads to travel through a bridge, so the structure can still carry loads if a member is damaged. The idea of continuity of the load path from span to span captures this because when loads can flow through interconnected members across adjacent spans, forces can be redistributed along the network rather than concentrating in a single element. This continual path across spans provides alternative routes for the forces to reach supports, which is the essence of redundancy.

The other descriptions touch on related ideas—such as simply having parts fastened together or the result of one member failing and load sharing—but they don’t express how the structure maintains multiple, connected pathways for forces across the entire bridge, which is the core of redundancy.