Distribution of floor loads

Structure · Introduction · printed page 44 (PDF page 45)

Original page Sign in to save

Book index entries

Furnace – Load Distribution Load Distribution on Floors

Text in the illustration

in a typical house with wood siding and a central bearing beam, the central support structure carries a lot more weight than the outside walls (because it supports more floor area)
load carried by outside wall
load carried by central beam and columns
floor joist
bearing beam
foundation wall
column
basement
footing
cross section

Generated explanation

A basement cross section shows floor joists supported by exterior foundation walls and a central bearing beam on a column. Downward arrows represent floor loading, and brackets divide the load between the outside walls and central support structure. The central beam and columns carry load from a larger portion of the floor than either outside wall. The foundation walls and central column transfer their loads to footings below. The illustration explains load distribution without depicting a defect.

Components

floor joists bearing beam support column foundation walls footings basement floor

Materials

wood steel concrete

Related illustrations

0386

Concentrated loads - removing or altering walls

· p. 68

The cross section depicts a wood-frame wall partially removed and replaced with a new built-up wood beam and column beneath flat-roof framing. Dashed outlines indicate the removed wall studs. The highlighted load path ru

0200

Overview of house structure

· p. 32

The illustration shows a cross section through a two-story house with a basement and a pitched roof. Roof rafters are connected by a collar tie, with ceiling joists spanning across the upper-story walls. Floor joists are