Contraflexure

Contraflexure is a big word that means that something very long, like a stick or a beam, doesn't bend in the middle, but instead, it bends in opposite directions at both ends.

Imagine you have a really long and thin stick, and you want to hold it in the middle. The stick will bend downwards in the middle because it is not strong enough to support its own weight. But, if you hold one end of the stick and apply force upwards, the stick will bend upwards on that end while the other end bends downwards, creating a curve (or bend) in opposite directions – this is called a contraflexure.

Contraflexure is important when we design buildings, bridges, or any other structure that involves long beams or columns, because we should make sure they don't bend too much under heavy loads or high winds, which could cause them to break or fall apart.

In simpler terms, contraflexure is when a long and thin thing bends in opposite directions at either end, like a banana or a bow. We use this concept to build things that can withstand a lot of weight or force without breaking.