load path

huangyhg

load path
i have read several threads noting the importanace of the "load path".  can someone please explain to me what this really means and how would i go about getting more practice and/or understanding of this.
thanks
check out our whitepaper library.
it means follow the path the load would take to get to the foundation, or the earth.  you may also apply the concept locally and say the path the load would take to get to its support.  if the load can't get to the earth or a support, you have a problem (generally).
for example, if you put a load on top of an floor,
1. the floor must be able to support itself and the load
2. the beams supporting the floor must support themselves, the floor, and the load
3. the girders must be able to support themselves, the beams, the floor, and the load
4. the columns must be able to support themselves, the girders, the beams, the floor, and the load
5. the foundation must be able to support the columns, the girders, the beams, the floor, and the load.
hope this helps.  
tngolfer,
a more generic way to say this would be that any load has to have a defined structural set of   
every load has it's reaction ... in my case (aero) it's usually the airloads on the wing reacting the inertia loads on the fuselage; in your case (civil0 it'll be loads applied to the building being reacted by the foundation.
loadpath refers to the structure connecting the applied load to its reaction ... beams in bending, joints, columns, etc.
check this out - it really is a primer but explains the basics