Load bearing
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Load bearing - or loadbearing - describes a structural element that has been designed to support its own dead load in addition to the weight of other structural and non-structural elements. The weight of this load is carried down to the foundations of the building.
[edit] Load bearing elements
The most commonly used load bearing structural elements include:
The overlying elements that are typically supported by load bearing structures include those from any wall that sits directly above the element as well as roofs, floors and so on.
[edit] Capacity parameters
The load bearing capacity of an element of the structure can be influenced by:
- Size – a thick wall can take higher loads than a thinner wall of similar material and construction. A tall concrete-block wall may be more prone to buckling than one which is less tall and of identical material, construction and loading.
- Density – dense materials, such as stone and concrete, are typically better able to resist failure under loading.
- Material properties such as compressive strength, resistance to shear forces, bending, vibration and so on.
- Structural design – by virtue of its shape. For example, a folded-plate roof may be able to accept higher loads than one that is a simple flat slab. Similarly, a diagonally braced structure will have a higher load bearing capacity than an identical structure that is unbraced.
- Environmental conditions such as wind, temperature, fire, frost, moisture and so on.
[edit] Load bearing and road construction
Load bearing can also be used in the context of roadway construction in relation to the capacity of the road to accommodate vehicles of a certain weight. In this instance, the term ‘load’ refers to weight of the materials being carried by the vehicles being used to transport them. Load bearing capacity is used to express the impact that a vehicle combined with its load will have on a roadway and the surface beneath it.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.