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Understanding Load-Bearing Structures

Buildings, aircraft, skeletons, anthills, beaver dams and salt domes are all examples of load-bearing structures that must withstand forces. Built structures are divided into categories like buildings, bridges, and mechanical structures. Structural elements can be one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional solids, and are combined in structural systems like frames, trusses, shells, and hybrid structures. Load-bearing biological structures also have a hierarchical structure employing proteins and biominerals to withstand forces.

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9 views1 page

Understanding Load-Bearing Structures

Buildings, aircraft, skeletons, anthills, beaver dams and salt domes are all examples of load-bearing structures that must withstand forces. Built structures are divided into categories like buildings, bridges, and mechanical structures. Structural elements can be one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional solids, and are combined in structural systems like frames, trusses, shells, and hybrid structures. Load-bearing biological structures also have a hierarchical structure employing proteins and biominerals to withstand forces.

Uploaded by

aditya singh
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Buildings, aircraft, skeletons, anthills, beaver dams and salt domes are all examples of load-bearing

structures. The results of construction are divided into buildings and non-building structures, and
make up the infrastructure of a human society. Built structures are broadly divided by their varying
design approaches and standards, into categories including building structures, architectural
structures, civil engineering structures and mechanical structures.
The effects of loads on physical structures are determined through structural analysis, which is one
of the tasks of structural engineering. Thestructural elements can be classified as one-dimensional
(ropes, struts, beams, arches), two-dimensional (membranes, plates, slab, shells,vaults), or threedimensional (solid masses).[2]:2 The latter was the main option available to early structures such
as Chichen Itza. A one-dimensional element has one dimension much larger than the other two, so
the other dimensions can be neglected in calculations; however, the ratio of the smaller dimensions
and the composition can determine the flexural and compressive stiffness of the element. Twodimensional elements with a thin third dimension have little of either but can resist biaxial traction.[2]:2
3

The structure elements are combined in structural systems. The majority of everyday load-bearing
structures are section-active structures like frames, which are primarily composed of onedimensional (bending) structures. Other types are Vector-active structures such as trusses, surfaceactive structures such as shells and folded plates, form-active structures such as cable or membrane
structures, and hybrid structures.[3]:134136
Load-bearing biological structures such as bones, teeth, shells, and tendons derive their strength
from a multilevel hierarchy of structures employing biominerals and proteins, at the bottom of which
are collagen fibrils.[4]

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