Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In general the most appropriate structure is likely to be the
one that carries its loads most directly to its supports. This nat-
urally reduces the amount of structural material needed to carry
the load and will reduce the number of connections it passes
through, reducing complexity. However, a variety of non-
structural requirements (for instance, circulation, servicing and
aesthetics) will mean any optimal load path diagram is likely to
require local or global modifications, as shown in
Figure 7.3
.
An optimal structure occasionally needs to be sacrificed to
achieve an optimal building.
It is often worth any reviewer paying extra attention to the
horizontal load paths as these are often more complex and less
obvious than the vertical ones, with more three-dimensional
behaviour and a variety of structural elements and actions.
Loads are often first applied horizontally to slabs that must
span between supporting elements using diaphragm action.
Particular attention must be paid to the position of holes
which can prevent this action taking place and to the transfer
of forces from the horizontal to the vertical members, as seen
in
Figure 7.4
.
7.3.3 Testing the structure's requirements
Whilst defining the load paths the engineer needs to be con-
stantly assessing the influence the design choices being made
Figure 7.3
Load paths for vertical loads
Figure 7.4
Load paths for horizontal loads
