Final answer:
A funicular structure is one that supports loads primarily through tension or compression and takes on a characteristic shape, like arches or the cables in suspension bridges. The correct answer is Funicular structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure described in the question is one that can carry or support a given loading through either axial tension or compression, eliminating bending by adopting a specific shape. When the loading pattern changes, bending is induced in the structure. This description aligns most closely with a funicular structure, which takes on a characteristic form under evenly distributed loading. Examples of such structures include arches and suspension bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge.
Arches, like the ones that can be manipulated into barrel vaults, operate under compression, exerting thrust at their bases to remain stable. They require restraining measures such as abutments to sustain their form. Similarly, flexible connectors like cables used in suspension bridges, under tension, also adhere to this principle, sagging into a specific curve when loaded evenly, indicating a funicular shape for the suspended structure. Therefore, the correct answer is Funicular structure.