Break step意思

"Break step" is a military term that refers to the action of soldiers in a marching formation breaking their steps when they cross a bridge, pass through a narrow passage, or approach a turn. The purpose of breaking step is to prevent the共振 effect, which can occur when a group of people march in step over a structure with a natural frequency that matches the frequency of their footsteps. This can cause the structure to vibrate, potentially leading to damage or even collapse.

When soldiers break step, they adjust their timing so that they are no longer in perfect unison with the person next to them. This helps to distribute the impact of their footsteps over a wider range of frequencies, reducing the risk of resonance. The term "break step" can also refer to the moment when a marching unit changes from one direction to another, such as when making a turn. In this context, it means that the soldiers need to adjust their steps to maintain the new direction without losing formation.