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Load Path Concepts

This document discusses load paths in buildings and structures. It explains that all loads from gravity, wind, earthquakes, and other sources must transfer from the roof to the foundation. Vertical loads include gravity and uplift loads. Lateral loads include wind and earthquake loads. The document provides examples of failures when the load path is interrupted, such as from buckling, slope failure, or inadequate connections. It emphasizes that all members and connections in the load path must be sufficiently strong to safely transfer loads without failing.

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mmp_ccs
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3K views

Load Path Concepts

This document discusses load paths in buildings and structures. It explains that all loads from gravity, wind, earthquakes, and other sources must transfer from the roof to the foundation. Vertical loads include gravity and uplift loads. Lateral loads include wind and earthquake loads. The document provides examples of failures when the load path is interrupted, such as from buckling, slope failure, or inadequate connections. It emphasizes that all members and connections in the load path must be sufficiently strong to safely transfer loads without failing.

Uploaded by

mmp_ccs
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Class 2

Continuous Load Path


Concepts
Load Paths
 Loads must go to “ground”
 Vertical loads
 Gravity
 Uplift
 Lateral loads
 Wind
 Earthquake
 Flood

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 2


Load Paths
 Bridge loads
 Headers
 Beams
 Girders
 Interaction with the ground
 Shallow – spread, slab, stem wall
 Deep – piles, caissons, friction, bearing
 Possible failures – slope failure, liquefaction, erosion,
excessive moisture

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 3


Load Paths
Vertical

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Deck collapse – gravity
failure

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Foundation gravity
failure

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Uplift failure

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Uplift column failure

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Flood

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 9


Lateral displacement

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Earthquake

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Wind

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 12


Vertical and Lateral
paths OK

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Lateral failure from wind

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Lateral wind failure

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Slope failure

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Masonry piers

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Beams – carrying loads

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Headers:

bridging
loads

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WTC-7 (Bridging loads
failure)  47 story building
 housed city’s OEM
 some missile impacts
 burned uncontrolled for
8 hours
 7 story electric
substation
 diesel fuel in building in
several tanks

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 20


12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 21
WTC 7 - 7th Floor Plan

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12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 23
WTC 7

Penthouses start to collapse

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WTC 7

Interior collapse continues


- note the “kink”

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12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 27
Load Path Concepts
 Materials chosen with sufficient strength
 Connections made with sufficient size,
strength, and number
 Any weak link could be a failure point
 Load path requires appropriate soil
bearing capacity
 Soil must be able to maintain bearing
capacity
12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 28
Vertical gravity loads

 Creates compression in members


 Creates shear in connections
 What materials and connections perform
well in compression?

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Vertical gravity loads
 Masonry
 Concrete
 Steel
 Wood (of proper size)
 Reinforcing steel for masonry and concrete
 Bolts

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 30


Vertical gravity load

 Compression failures are most likely…?


 Buckling

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Vertical uplift loads

 Creates tension in members


 Creates shear or withdrawal in
connections
 What materials and connections perform
well in tension?

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 32


Vertical uplift loads

 Steel
 Wood
 Bolts or welding for steel
 Bolts for wood

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 33


Lateral loads

 Creates compression in wall panels


 Creates bending in single members
 Creates shear at panel edges
 Creates compression in struts between
panels or members

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Homework 1 – Due
9/12/07
 Find and mark the load paths on the 2
attached sketches
 Sketch headers, girders or beams as
bridging loads
 Take the loads into the foundation which
is a pile system

Name: ____________________________
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12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 36
12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 37
Pile
layout

12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 38


References

 Masonry Structures – text by Drysdale


 Design of Wood Structures – text by
Breyer
 ASCE 7
 ACI 530
 NDS
 Class web page
12/14/09 Building Design – Fall 2007 39

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