Transverse cracks are fairly straight cracks that are roughly perpendicular to the centerline of the bridge.

• A. Not Applicable
• B. Both
• C. True
• D. False

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is understanding how crack orientation reveals the type of stress a bridge member is experiencing. Transverse cracks run across the member, roughly perpendicular to the bridge’s long axis (the centerline). They tend to be fairly straight because the tensile stresses acting across the width of the member cause a clean break across its section rather than along its length. This orientation distinguishes them from longitudinal cracks, which run parallel to the centerline, and from diagonal cracks, which slope due to combined bending and shear. So seeing a straight crack that cuts across the member confirms that its description as a transverse crack is appropriate.