Load Paths in a Braced Frame Steel Building

Kristen M. Lechner November 17, 2009

What is a Load Path?

A load path is a passageway that transfers loads on a building structure into the foundation system.

The function of a load path is to ensure that any loading on the structural system is transmitted into the foundation and distributed to the ground. This ensures that the building structure is not in danger of failing or falling down due to fatigue. Structural engineers always design the structural system of a building with the concern of how the loads will get to the ground. This issue must be resolved at the onset of the design.

Load Path for a Gravity System

Load Path for a Lateral System

How Does a Load Path Work?

The two types of loading that a building will encounter are gravity loads and lateral loads. Gravity loads include the self weight of the structure and building finishes, such as carpeting or tile. They are supported by a part of the structure called the gravity system. The gravity system in a typical building consists of beams, girders, and columns. Lateral loads are created by the wind or an earthquake. These loads are transferred to the ground by following a load path through a lateral system. The material used for the structure of the building, steel or concrete, will determine what is used for the lateral system. For simplicity, only a steel building utilizing braced frames will be discussed in detail.
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What steps do the gravity loads follow?

The gravity loading within a building will accumulate within the floor and distribute itself into the infill beams framing into the girders. Please reference the image below.

Becomes

Girder

Beam Column

Girder

Beam Column

Next, the load distributes itself throughout the length of the beams. As seen in the image below, half of the load will go one direction and half will go the other direction. This is because the structure likes to be balanced. The loading is naturally evenly distributed to all elements of the structure.

Girder

Beam Column

The girders are the next logical step within this process because they are directly connected to the beams. The load will travel throughout the length of the girder, and distribute itself into the columns. This is because the girders are directly connected to the

columns. The same idea of even distribution is seen again in the load path process. Each column is responsible for half of the total load taken by the girders.

Girder

Beam Column

The loading will travel down the length of the column, distribute into the foundation system, and get transferred into the ground. This completes the load path process for gravity loads.

Girder

Beam Column

What steps do the lateral loads follow?

As previously stated, a steel braced frame system will be selected to discuss in detail, since there are many different options engineers use for lateral systems. Since lateral loads are generated from wind or an earthquake, they hit the side of the building horizontally rather than vertically like gravity loads.
Diaphragm Girder

Beam Brace

Column

Because these loads hit the building horizontally, they accumulate within the diaphragm, or floor, of a building. As they accumulate, they follow their load path according to stiffness within the structure. Stiffness within the structure is created by the braces within this example because they are the lateral elements. Half the load within the floor will distribute itself into the first diagonal brace, while the other half will distribute itself into the second diagonal brace.
Diaphragm Girder

Beam Brace

Column

Next, the loading travels throughout the length of the brace.

Diaphragm Girder

Beam Brace

Column

Finally, the lateral loads transfer into the foundation system and get distributed into the ground. This completes the load path process for lateral loads.
Diaphragm Girder

Beam Brace

Column

Importance of the Load Path Process

It is definitely clear that loads within a building must find their way to the ground by some method. If this does not happen, being inside of a building would never be a safe situation. Without a clear gravity system, the loads due to the self weight of the structural system and building materials would distribute themselves randomly. This situation would be like if all cars on the road drove off in any direction, not following the road at all. Many people would be injured or even killed as a result of unpredicted behavior. Without a lateral system, a building would fall over like a stack of cards if a big gust of wind came, or if an earthquake hit. This would also lead to many injuries and deaths. Therefore, the load path process is essential to structural engineering and safety of the public.