bents

Bents are structural frames used in buildings, bridges, and other constructions to carry loads from roofs, decks, or floors down to foundations. A bent consists of vertical members, typically posts or columns, connected at the top by a cap beam and often braced with diagonal members to resist lateral forces. The bottom of a bent is anchored to the foundation or ground, and in some cases a floor or deck is attached to the frame.

In timber and light-frame construction, bents are common building blocks. The simplest form is a single-bent, usually two posts tied together by a cap beam, sometimes with knee braces or diagonal bracing to increase rigidity. More complex configurations use three or more posts to form a longer bay or to support wider spans. In bridges, trestles, and elevated structures, a sequence of bents is spaced along the length of the span; these bents may be constructed from timber, steel, or reinforced concrete and may incorporate piles or footings driven into the ground.

The term is primarily used in construction and civil engineering. It helps describe a modular frame that can be prefabricated and then erected in place, aiding in the organization of load paths and the assembly of large structures. The concept is related to, but distinct from, post-and-beam framing, cap beams, and braces, which are components that may appear within a bent or across multiple bents.

In historical and regional practice, bents were a standard element in barn and shed construction, railroad trestles, and other heavy-frame buildings, reflecting the adaptation of the bent to local materials and loads. The plural “bents” thus recognises a set of such load-bearing frames within a larger structure.