Nick Mueller wrote:
Christopher Tidy wrote:


I was assuming that it could have a pretty broad meaning, but I wasn't
sure if it could be even broader than "beam", such as perhaps a
"specimen". But I couldn't make that fit using a dictionary. Thanks for
clarifying it for me.


No no. Not specimen. The problem with the word "Träger" is, that it denotes
an I-beam ("Doppel-T Träger") or some carrier ("Flugzeugträger"). So it can
be something from simple to a complex structure, as long as it has to carry
some load.

[For confusion:
Under the microscope, the specimen is put onto a "Träger"]

Okay. So "carrier" has to be part of the meaning.

Could it refer to a three-point
testing machine, in which a simply-supported beam is loaded in the
middle? Or doesn't that make any sense?


No. Because "Nut" is something smallish. Certainly not big enough to bend an
I-beam into. :-)

Thanks. These little differences are where it's really useful to have
the assistance of a native speaker.

Best wishes,

Chris