Loads and forces
- Dead load — the permanent weight of the structure and fixed construction.
- Live load — variable loads from occupancy and use.
- Lateral load — horizontal forces, chiefly wind and earthquake.
- Load path — the continuous route a load travels through the structure to the ground.
- Point load — a concentrated load applied at a single location, like a post landing on a beam.
Structural elements
- Beam — a horizontal member carrying loads across a span.
- Header — a beam over an opening such as a door or window.
- Joist — one of a series of closely spaced members supporting a floor or roof.
- Column / post — a vertical member carrying load downward.
- Shear wall — a wall designed to resist lateral loads in its plane.
- Diaphragm — a floor or roof acting as a wide, flat beam that delivers lateral loads to walls or frames.
- Footing — the widened base that spreads a load into the soil.
- Grade beam — a stiff beam at ground level spanning between deeper supports.
Behavior and performance
- Deflection — how much a member bends under load; limited for comfort and finishes, not just safety.
- Settlement — downward movement of a foundation; uniform settlement is far more forgiving than differential settlement.
- Serviceability — performance under everyday conditions: deflection, vibration, cracking.
- Strength (ultimate) limit state — the safety check against failure under design loads.
- Bearing capacity — how much pressure a soil can support.
Documents and process
- Construction documents — the drawings and specifications a project is permitted and built from.
- Calculations (calc package) — the engineering computations supporting the design.
- RFI — request for information; the contractor's formal question during construction.
- Submittal / shop drawing — the fabricator's detailed drawings, reviewed against design intent.
- Special inspection — code-required independent inspection of specific structural work.
- AHJ — authority having jurisdiction; the building department or agency that reviews and approves the project.
The information provided on this website is general in nature and is not a substitute for project-specific structural engineering services. Structural recommendations and designs must be based on applicable codes, project conditions, field information, and review by a qualified licensed professional engineer.
Published May 6, 2026 · Updated June 1, 2026