How to dynamically track load paths through a structure.

Engineers rely on tracking load paths regularly when designing structures.

Conventionally, load paths are calculated manually by hand or via spreadsheet. For example, when you want to increase or decrease the size of an upstream member, you need to look at the reactions on the spreadsheet or paper, and manually type or copy paste those reactions down the load path, which is both a massive time sink and highly prone to mistakes as revisions are made.

What is load path?

A load path is basically the direction in which consecutive load is passed through connected members from the highest point all the way down to the footing system.

In residential house construction, for example, a continuous load path is important because it helps redistribute dead, live, and wind loads, and transfer these forces from the roof to the foundation as depicted in the figures below.

Typical examples of load path in residential structures

• Linking a joist to beam as line load
• Linking a beam to beam as point load
• Linking a beam to column as point load
• Linking a column to footing as point load

To view how to link the above members of different loads. Watch the full webinar recording.