Structural Redundancy is defined as:

• A. If one member were to fail, load would be 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 independent load paths so the structure can still carry loads if one element is damaged. The best way to express this is the continuity of the load path from span to span, because it highlights that loads can flow through alternate routes across the entire bridge, not rely on a single element. When a member fails, the existing continuous paths allow forces to be redistributed through neighboring members and connections, helping to prevent a total collapse. Describing redundancy merely as “load would be redistributed” describes an outcome, but the core idea is the presence of continuous, interconnected load paths across the spans. Creating multiple load paths by fastening elements is a method to achieve redundancy, but redundancy is about the existence of those paths, not just the act of tying components together. The notion about the three main components of a bridge is unrelated.