Load Paths in Building Structures

Questions and Answers

Soundness of load paths (correct)

Height of the building

Strength of structural elements

Type of foundation used

In all directions, including vertical and two horizontal directions (correct)

In one horizontal and one vertical direction

Only in the vertical direction

Only in the two horizontal directions

Braced frames and moment-resisting frames

Frame-wall dual systems and moment-resisting frames

Braced frames and frame-wall dual systems

All of the above (correct)

To resist lateral loads caused by earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

They cause buildings to move in the opposite direction of the earthquake Signup and view all the answers

To distribute lateral loads to vertical elements Signup and view all the answers

Ensuring the presence of adequate load paths Signup and view all the answers

They help to distribute lateral loads to vertical elements Signup and view all the answers

Improved earthquake performance Signup and view all the answers

To ensure the presence of adequate load paths in buildings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Load paths are critical for managing both vertical loads (self-weight, occupancy, snow) and horizontal loads (earthquake, wind).
Structural elements that create load paths include:
- Horizontal diaphragm elements (roof slabs, floor slabs, trussed roofs, bracings).
- Vertical elements (planar frames, interconnected beams and columns, walls—typically reinforced concrete or masonry, planar trusses).
- Foundations and soils (isolated and combined footings, mats, piles, wells, and soil layers).
- Connections between the above elements.

Effective load paths ensure inertia forces from earthquakes are transmitted directly to the foundation, maintaining structural integrity.
Buildings perform best during earthquakes when load paths are continuous and direct, preventing bending or interruption.

Mass is uniformly distributed from the roof to the foundation throughout a building.
Earthquake ground shaking generates inertia forces, which are transferred downward through horizontally and vertically aligned structural elements to the foundations, then to the soil below.
Load paths refer to the specific pathways these inertia forces travel within the building.

Sound load paths are crucial for the structural performance of buildings in earthquakes, irrespective of the building material (masonry, reinforced concrete, structural steel).
Earthquake codes mandate the establishment of adequate lateral load paths in both horizontal directions and vertical planes.
Effective load paths must be present in all directions due to the multidirectional nature of earthquake shaking, requiring comprehensive planning for vertical and two horizontal directions.