Abstützung

Abstützung is a German term used to describe support or bracing of an object, structure, or body. It denotes either the act of supporting something or the supporting element itself that carries a load or stabilizes a system. The concept is common in technical and engineering contexts, where avoiding movement, deformation, or failure hinges on proper bracing and load transfer.

In construction, architecture and civil engineering, Abstützung refers to temporary or permanent supports that transfer loads from a member to a foundation or to adjacent elements. Typical forms include props, braces, and buttresses or other load-carrying members. In manufacturing and mechanical engineering, Abstützungen stabilize workpieces during machining or assembly and can be temporary fixtures or permanent parts of a machine. In sports and body-weight exercises, Abstützung describes the act of bearing weight on a support surface, such as the hands or forearms during a push-up or planche-like positions.

The term is closely related to but distinct from Stütze (the actual support element), Auflage (the contact surface or bearing area), and Abstützsystem (a complete system of bracing). Abstützung emphasizes the function of bracing or supporting, whether temporary for alignment and assembly or permanent as part of a structure’s integrity.

Etymology: Abstützung derives from the verb stützen, meaning to prop or support, with the noun form denoting the result or process of providing such support. It is widely used in German technical and construction literature.