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The simple structure in the above picture can be used to demonstrate how

gravity loads move from the top of a structure to the ground.

1.A floor slab is designed to support the imposed gravity load.

2.This load travels from the floor slab to the beams that support

it.

3.Upon reaching the beam, the load travels to the end of a

beam, which is connected to a girder.

4.This girder is supporting the accumulated loads from the floor

slab and beams and transmits the load to a connecting

column.

5.The load then travels down the column to the foundation and

is distributed to the ground.

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Lateral Loads

Gravity loads are not the only type of load that is considered when

designing a structure. Lateral loads (wind and earthquake loads) must alsohave a complete load path to transfer them to the ground. Unlike gravity

loads, which act in a downward direction,lateral loads can act in a

horizontal direction or even cause an uplift effect.

A shear wall is a compilation of smaller structural elements into one larger

element that is used to resist lateral loads. The shear wall in the above

picture shows how a lateral load moves from the top of the structure to the

ground.

1.The lateral load is distributed throughout the top of the wall.

2.This load travels through the shear wall and is output at the

base of the wall.

3.The connection between the base of the wall and the

foundation forces the load into the foundation and is eventually

transferred to the ground.

A complete and continuous load path is necessary to safely move the loads

from the top of a structure to the ground. If a correct path isn’t designed to

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move the load to the ground, then the loads will find other means of making

it to the ground; usually in an unfavorable way. It’s not quite as simple as an

apple falling on Newton’s head, but it’s essentially the basic law of gravity.