Final answer:
The inherent factor of thermal expansion in materials used for constructing a bridge cannot be increased by further examination. The design uses multiple expansion joints to distribute the thermal changes, ensuring bridge functionality and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the structural behavior of materials used to construct bridges, specifically concerning the expansion joints that accommodate the thermal expansion and contraction of materials. In a longitudinal pipe joint, the factor that cannot be increased by additional examination typically refers to the inherent property of the material to expand or contract when subjected to temperature changes. No amount of further examination can enhance this physical property since it is determined by the composition and structure of the material itself.
The significance of these expansion movements, though not large relative to the entire length of the bridge, is nonetheless important to consider in structural engineering. The collective expansion or contraction is accommodated by distributing the change amongst many expansion joints to ensure that each joint only has to deal with a small proportion, thereby maintaining the functionality and safety of the bridge structure under thermal stress.