Wooden tracks are held up by large, strong frames with crossed beams. These frames are supported by “bents”3 which support the structure. In roller coasters, bents are made of pairs of evenly-spaced boards attached to the main supports. These main supports are attached to concrete foundations on the ground.

The support system of a roller coaster is a complex network of engineering components designed to withstand immense gravitational and lateral forces. The primary foundation usually consists of high-PSI concrete footings or piers (often 4,000–5,000 PSI) that are anchored deep into the ground to prevent shifting. Rising from these footings are steel or wooden support columns (trestles), which form the skeleton of the ride. These columns are strategically placed by civil and mechanical engineers to carry the load of the track and the moving train. In modern steel coasters, "cross-bracing" is used to provide extra stability against wind and vibrations. For "terrain" coasters, the earth itself provides some support, while "anchored" coasters use heavy bolts to secure the track directly to the concrete. Every support beam is calculated to manage the specific G-forces generated at each point of the ride.