load paths

Load paths refer to the route through which forces travel within a structure when it bears weight or stress. Imagine pushing on a bookshelf: the load from the books travels down the shelves, into the supports, and finally to the ground. In buildings, load paths show how weight from floors, roofs, or walls moves through structural elements like beams, columns, and trusses to the foundation. Understanding load paths helps engineers design structures that efficiently carry loads, ensuring stability and safety by preventing unnecessary stress or failure.