Load Bearing Structure is the most widely used form of construction for low-rise and small buildings from the 1700s to the mid-1900s. It is very rarely used today for large buildings, but smaller residential-scale structures are being built.
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What is Load Bearing Structure?
In Load Bearing Structures, Structural load is carried by load bearing wall which transfers this load to the foundation. There is no provision of a column and beam framework in this type of structural system.
A load bearing structure has the components of a building that carries and transfers the load to the ground safely. This load bearing structure guarantees the strength and stability of the building & its performance.
Such constructions are used in residential buildings in which the dimensions of rooms are less. Residential and commercial buildings up to ground floor + 2 floors can be constructed economically with load-bearing structures.
It essentially consists of thick, heavy masonry walls of brick or stone that support the entire structure, including the horizontal floor slabs, which could be reinforced concrete, wood, or steel members.
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Components of Load Bearing Structure/Building
The main load-bearing structural elements are:
- Load Bearing Walls
- Beams
- Columns
- Braces
- Trusses
1. Load Bearing Walls
A load-bearing wall conveys the loads from slabs above it to the foundation. These walls can be made of masonry or block materials. Most of the exterior walls of a building structure are considered load-bearing.
Removal of the load-bearing wall as a part of renovation must be conducted only after providing alternative support for the above-supported structures.
2. Beams
Beam forms one of the primary load-bearing components of structure which can be made from wood, concrete, or metal. The beam is a primary structural member utilized to take the load on the building. The strength and capacity to withstand a load of load-bearing structures depend on the depth & width of the beam element.
The beam is subjected to a higher amount of shear and compressive force as they have a high amount of internal and external forces.
3. Columns
These structural elements are one of the important parts in a structure which have a significant role in the transmission of dead and live loads to the foundation that the building structure is subjected to.
4. Braces
Braces are the structural elements used in the load bearing structural system. These load-bearing elements help in stiffening the framework effectively.
5. Trusses
Trusses are load-bearing elements that support the roof elements in the building structure. The loading from roof are uniformly or evenly transmitted to the trusses.
The trusses are subjected to tension & compression forces. The trusses are not subjected to any kind of moment.
Read More: Structural Components of Building and Their Standard Dimensions
Load Bearing Structure Details
The following is the load bearing structure section and some structural criteria which has to be considered while constructing the load bearing structure:
- The load bearing structure or building is the structural system where loads of buildings like the weight of the building itself and the live loads get transferred to the subsoil foundation through wallsand this structure ensures the performance and stability of the building.
- A load-bearing structure takes and transmits the load to the subsoil foundation safely and is a component of a building. Walls resist the self-weight of building or structure, the load of roofs, and floor.
- In this structural system, the most constructive use of load-bearing is seen, and it performs a range of functions from supporting loads, subdividing the space, providing thermal and acoustic insulation to structure, etc.
- In a load-bearing structure, you cannot punch holes in a wall to connect two rooms – you would damage the structure if you did so.
- The immense weight of the walls helps to hold the building together and stabilize it against external forces such as wind and earthquake.
Advantages of Load Bearing Structure
- There are some unique advantages of load-bearing structure such as:
- All types of load-bearing masonry structures provide substantial fire resistance.
- The construction materials needed are economical and the construction procedure is simple.
- The load-bearing building or structure gives high strength & durability to the building.
- These structures do not require time-consuming preparation to be implemented.
- Load-bearing masonry buildings are more esthetically appealing.
- The materials used in load bearing construction are available in different colors & textures providing numerous choices.
Disadvantages of Load Bearing Structure
There are some disadvantages of load-bearing structure which reduced the application of it in building industries such as:
- This load-bearing structure is best suited for up to 3 stories buildings.
- Load-bearing masonry structures demand more man-hours to be constructed and are a slower procedure than other construction methods.
- Masonry units don’t provide adequate thermal insulation against the weather.
- After the construction, it is not possible to alter the position of the walls.
- The total weight of the masonry walls is high, which ultimately increases the self-weight of the building.
- There is poor resistance of masonry walls or do not perform well against earthquake loads, because non-reinforced units cannot withdraw the high tensile and shear stresses when compared to frame structures.
Difference Between Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure
The majordifference between load bearing structureandframed structureis members which carries the structural load and transferring theloadto the subsoil. Inload–bearing structure,load carried bymembers like walls, whereasin a framed structure,load carried bymembers like beams and columns.
| Sr. No. | Load Bearing Structure | Framed Structure |
| 1. | The cost is less. | Cost is more. |
| 2. | Suitable up to two stories. | Suitable for any number of stories. |
| 3. | Walls are thicker & hence floor area is reduced, so less area is available for use. | Walls are thinner than load-bearing system and hence more floor area available for use. |
| 4. | Slow construction. | Speedy construction. |
| 5. | Not possible to alter the position of walls, after the construction | The position of walls may be changed, whenever necessary. |
| 6. | Resistance to the earthquake is poor. | Resistance to earthquake forces is good. |
| 7. | Taken deep into the subsoil foundation. | Only the columns are taken deep into the subsoil & provided with foundation footing. |
| 8. | This construction is more labour-intensive. | Framed structure is less labour-intensive, but it required different skills. |
| 9. | In this construction, life is not much affected even though some standards are not strictly followed. | In framed structure, the life of the building is reduced if not done with proper technique, and specifications i.e. codes are not strictly followed. |
| 10. | Limitations for providing openings in walls, which will affect the light and ventilation in the room. | Large openings in walls are possible. |
| 11. | Load-bearing structures can be constructed without expensive plants and machines as compared to a framed structure. | Framed structures require expensive plants and machines to construct. |
| 12. | Walls have to be built first as they support the slab/roof and hence all walls have to be built simultaneously which is time-consuming. | Generally, RCC framed structure is constructed first and the external, as well as partition walls, are constructed later, hence speed is more. |
| 13. | In the case of a load-bearing structure, large span areas are not possible. Limitation of span i.e. room sizes. | In the case of a framed structure, large span areas are possible. No Limitation of span i.e. room sizes. |
Conclusion:
Load-bearing masonry construction is not used so far today because of several reasons, such as it does not perform very well in earthquakes. Most deaths in earthquakes around the world have happened in load-bearing masonry buildings.
It is extremely material-intensive. These load bearing structures consume a lot of bricks, and are very heavy. This means that they are not green.
FAQs: Load Bearing Structure
Q.1 What is difference between load bearing structure and frame structure?
The majordifference between load bearing structureandframed structureis members which carries the structural load and transferring theloadto the subsoil. Inload–bearing structure,load carried bymembers like walls, whereasin a framed structure,load carried bymembers like beams and columns.
Q.2 Is load bearing structure safe?
No, During earthquake load bearing structure will face brittle failure and while framed struture will face ductile failure which is due to connection between beam, column and slab by reinforcement used in it.
Q.3 What is RCC frame structure?
RCC means Reinforced Cement Concrete Structure. RCC Frame Structure has column, beam and foundation framework which are interconnected with each other. The load from slab taken by beam and beam to column and column to foundation footing and ultimately structural load is transfer to soil safely.
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FAQs
What Is Load Bearing Structure | Difference Between Load Bearing Vs Framed Structure? ›
The main difference between
In RCC framed structure, the whole load is supported on beam and slab, where in load bearing structure, it is supported by masonry wall. The whole load of beam and slab is transferred through columns to footing in RCC structure, and masonry wall to masonry foundation in load bearing structure.
What is load bearing frame? ›A load-bearing wall or bearing wall is a wall that is an active structural element of a building, that is, it bears the weight of the elements above said wall, resting upon it by conducting its weight to a foundation structure.
Which is costly load bearing or framed structure? ›Load bearing structure is less costly as compared to a framed structure. However, this is true only if the bricks used in load bearing structure are cheap as compared to concrete used in beam and column for frame structure, and depth of foundation is not more than 1.00 m to 1.2 m.
What are the 4 types of structural loads? ›Structural loads can be broadly classified into four groups: dead loads, live loads, impact loads, and environmental loads.
What are the 2 main categories of structural loads? ›Types of loads acting on a structure are:
Imposed loads. Wind loads.
Advantages of Framed Structure
Framed structure is more rigid and more resistant to earthquakes as entire frame made of column, beam and slabs act as one unit. However, the horizontal load path needs to be clearly defined, designed and detailed. Cantilever elements can be easily provided in this system.
A framed structure divides the members of building into two groups: load bearing and non-load bearing. Materials of inferior quality can be used for the latter members where strength is not the main consideration. Better resistant to vibrations: It is found that framed structures can resist vibrations effectively.
How do you know if a structure is load bearing? ›From a basement or crawlspace, check to see if another wall or support structure is directly below a first-floor wall. If a wall has a beam, column or other wall directly below or following its same path, it's a load-bearing wall. Walls more than 6 inches thick are usually load-bearing walls.
What is the maximum span of a load-bearing structure? ›It is widely used in roof load-bearing structures such as stadiums, exhibition halls, restaurants, waiting rooms, warehouses, and single-story multi-span industrial plants. If there is no limit, 18-24m is the most common span, which is relatively economical.
Do a frame homes have load-bearing walls? ›
As the exterior A-shaped frame is load-bearing, generally, an A-frame house does not need any interior load-bearing wall.
What is the life of load-bearing structure? ›Steel structures – 100-150yrs. Concrete structures – 100yrs. Personal or commercial bldgs – 60-80yrs.
What is the disadvantage of framed structure? ›Frame structures have economical designs. Disadvantages of Frames: In frames structures, span lengths are usually restricted to 40ft when normal reinforced concrete. Otherwise spans greater than that, can cause lateral deflections.
What is one disadvantage of framed building structure? ›The Disadvantages of Steel Frame Construction
Steel is not known for its warmth, due to its high efficiency in conducting heat. The insulation value of walls can be reduced by as much as half when heat is transferred away through steel studs, which is not good news for energy retention in a building.
Advantages of Load Bearing Masonry Construction:
The final load bearing masonry structure constructed is highly durable and solid. This structure type possesses high fire resistance. The masonry units are available in different colors and textures, which provides freedom of creativity to the user.
The loads in buildings and structures can be classified as vertical loads, horizontal loads and longitudinal loads.
What are the 5 basic load types? ›The five types of loads that can act on a structure are tension, compression, shear, bending and torsion.
What are the basic structural types? ›Basic types of systems include bearing-wall, post-and-lintel, frame, membrane, and suspension. They fall into three major categories: low-rise, high-rise, and long-span.
What are the two basic types of loads structural engineers have to deal with? ›Loads are generally classified as either dead loads (DL) or live loads (LL): Dead structural loads remain relatively constant, such as the structure's self weight. Live structural loads may vary such as traffic loads.
Which type of structural load is always present in structures? ›Dead loads are always present throughout the lifetime of a structure, compared to live loads which can come and go. That will hopefully help you figure out what live load to use. The live loads used when designing a structure can vary between rooms in a building.
What are 5 disadvantages of frame structures? ›
- High Maintenance Costs.
- Higher Initial Cost.
- Thermal Conductivity.
- Reduced Flexibility On-Site.
- Supporting Structures.
A partition wall is a thin wall, about 10 centimeters thick, while load-bearing walls are usually 30 centimeters thick or more.
How many floors does a load bearing structure have? ›The load-bearing structure of the building is preferred for structures with no more than two floors. A load-bearing wall is a wall that bears the weight of a floor or roof structure above it. They are so named because they bear the burden and support the structure's weight.
Do you need columns if you have load-bearing walls? ›No, you don't need columns when you have load-bearing walls. Load bearing walls are designed in a way that the loads are transferred to the foundation through walls. It doesn't need beams and columns.
Why frame structure is more preferred for large buildings? ›Steel frame structure is considerably suitable option for the construction of various buildings and skyscrapers due to its strength, low weigh, speed of construction, large spans construction capability.
How does a structural engineer know if a wall is load bearing? ›A structural engineer's inspection for walls which are load bearing will involve an invasive search for structural clues. They will have to access your property's foundations and look beneath floorboards and possibly cut into drywall to find supporting beams.
What happens if you knock down load-bearing wall? ›Even if you remove a load-bearing wall, the home won't immediately collapse to the ground. To be clear – over time, the missing load-bearing wall will lead to structural damage. It could eventually ruin the roof and the overall structure.
Do I need a structural engineer to remove a load-bearing wall? ›In general, if the wall you're planning to remove is a load-bearing wall, meaning it supports the weight of the structure above it, you will likely need the services of a structural engineer.
How much weight can a load-bearing beam hold? ›The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Glulam beams have a span of about 16 feet between their supports. A typical glulam beam can withstand a total weight of between 69,000 and 95,500 pounds, depending on the type of wood used.
How far apart can load-bearing beams be? ›Based on the current sizing of lumber, and modern construction practices, 16" was determined to be the right spacing between wall studs for residential load conditions. (There are exceptions, of course, as varying construction materials allow for different specifications.)
How is a bearing wall different from a structural frame? ›
Building Frames structures contain a separate load path for gravity and lateral loads. The Bearing Wall structures involve elements that act simultaneously as gravity and lateral load-resisting elements.
What is the difference between a load-bearing wall and a structural wall? ›If a wall runs at a perpendicular angle to the joists, it is load-bearing. Any wall that doesn't support another wall is most likely not a load-bearing wall. If a wall provides direct support to the structure of a house, it's a structural wall that you should not remove.
What is meant by framed structure? ›A framed structure in any material is one that is made stable by a skeleton that is able to stand by itself as a rigid structure without depending on floors or walls to resist deformation.
What is the difference between load-bearing and non load-bearing structures? ›A non-load bearing does not support any structural weight of a building or house. These types of walls are built lighter than a load bearing wall, and are often referred to as a 'curtain wall'.
Which foundation is used for load-bearing structure? ›Raft or mat foundations are the types of foundation which are spread across the entire area of the building to support heavy structural loads from columns and walls. The use of mat foundation is for columns and walls foundations where the loads from the structure on columns and walls are very high.
What is the difference between load and framed structure? ›The main difference between load bearing structure and framed structure is their members who are responsible for bearing and transferring the load to the subsoil. In load-bearing structure, load-bearing members are walls, while in a framed structure, load-bearing members are beams and columns.
What are the 5 frame structures? ›There are five main forms of structural frames: Plain Frame, Structural Frame, Space Frame. Monocoque and Semi-Monocoque. These are structures created in two dimensions. An example is seen opposite.
What makes a frame structure more stable? ›Some general rules about structural stability: the lowest the center of gravity, the more difficult it is to make a structure topple over, therefore the more stable is the structure. It is more difficult to make a structure with a wide base topple over so, the wider the base therefore, the more stable the structure.
What are the disadvantages of load bearing structures as compared to framed structures? ›Load bearing structure: Disadvantages
Compared to other construction techniques, load-bearing masonry structures require more man hours and take longer to build. Masonry structures don't offer enough weatherproof thermal insulation. The placement of the walls cannot be changed after construction has begun.
Problems with Creating Healthy Wood Framed Buildings
Moisture can cause mold, which may cause allergic and asthmatic reactions in some people. Wood-frame buildings may also contain chemicals, adhesives, and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Both mold and VOCs compromise the IAQ of a building.
Why use a structural frame? ›
BENEFITS OF STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAMES
The advantage of using steel frames over other construction materials is that steel has a higher density than timber or concrete. This means that for the same dimensions, steel will be heavier, and that less steel will be required to provide the same level of support.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is an example of a load-bearing wall structure with flying buttresses.
Is load-bearing structure safe? ›Load-bearing structures have building components that safely carry and transfer loads to the ground; this structure guarantees the building's stability and performance. Such a system is used in the construction of residential buildings having small room sizes.
How do you identify a load-bearing structure? ›From a basement or crawlspace, check to see if another wall or support structure is directly below a first-floor wall. If a wall has a beam, column or other wall directly below or following its same path, it's a load-bearing wall. Walls more than 6 inches thick are usually load-bearing walls.
What makes a structure load bearing? ›A load-bearing structure is one in which the load is transferred vertically downward through the structure's walls. The roof's weight is also transferred to the walls, which then to the foundation. The load-bearing structure of the building is preferred for structures with no more than two floors.
What is the highest load bearing structure? ›The north half of the Monadnock Building (1889–91), 16 stories high, is generally regarded as the world's tallest office building with load-bearing walls.
What is the difference between load bearing and non load bearing building? ›A non-load bearing does not support any structural weight of a building or house. These types of walls are built lighter than a load bearing wall, and are often referred to as a 'curtain wall'.
What type of bearing is strongest? ›If you need a bearing capable of withstanding a high radial load, then we recommend a cylindrical roller bearing. On the other hand, if your bearing needs to support lighter loads a ball bearing might be sufficient as they are often less expensive.
What are the two classification of bearing? ›Bearings are divided into two basic categories: (1) rolling element or "anti-friction" bearings, (2) sliding surface or "plain" bearings.
Which bearing is used for heavy load? ›Hydro-static Bearing
The hydro-static bearings are those which can support heavy loads without any relative motion between the journal and the bearing, therefore it is suitable for carrying heavy loads.
Can a 2x4 wall be load-bearing? ›
If it's a solid 2x6 or greater turned vertically going from the jack stud on one side to the other, there's a good chance the wall is load bearing. If there are only cripple studs on a flat 2x4 to give you something to attach the drywall, it likely isn't load bearing.
How thick is a load-bearing structure wall? ›A partition wall is a thin wall, about 10 centimeters thick, while load-bearing walls are usually 30 centimeters thick or more.
What are non-load-bearing walls called? ›Non-Load Bearing Walls
Also referred to as “curtain walls”, non-bearing walls are used primarily as room dividers, and generally serve no other purpose.
A non-load bearing wall or non-bearing wall is a type of wall used in building construction that is not a load-bearing wall. That is, it is a wall that does not support the weight of structure other than the wall itself. Walls that fall into this category include: Most interior walls.
Do load-bearing walls look different? ›To determine if a wall is a load-bearing one, Tom suggests going down to the basement or attic to see which way the joists run. If the wall is parallel to the joists, it's probably not load-bearing. If the wall is perpendicular, it's most likely load-bearing.