![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/King_post_%2528PSF%2529.png/640px-King_post_%2528PSF%2529.png&w=640&q=50)
King post
Central vertical post used in architectural or bridge designs / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A king post (or king-post or kingpost) is a central vertical post used in architectural or bridge designs, working in tension to support a beam below from a truss apex above (whereas a crown post, though visually similar, supports items above from the beam below).
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/King_post_%28PSF%29.png/640px-King_post_%28PSF%29.png)
In aircraft design a strut called a king post acts in compression, similarly to an architectural crown post. Usage in mechanical plant and marine engineering differs again, as noted below.