These are the building elements that bear force loads, as well as any other non-force impacts, and then transfer them to the ground.
The load-bearing elements include: beams, trusses, foundations, most walls, stair units and many others. Their main task is to ensure the spatial rigidity and stability of the structure, its strength and preservation of geometry. These structures ensure the safety of the operation of buildings.
The structures are connected into a system by rigid connections that do not have flexibility, or hinged ones, in which the elements can move, rotate, without deforming. As a result of the connections, an integral system is formed in which the elements work together, resulting in the distribution of loads: static and dynamic, acting in different directions.
In accordance with the configuration, they are described by certain models and taken into account in calculations, dividing them into certain categories:
- Rod models are used in the calculation of structures that have a linear shape. These are beams, columns, truss diagonals, bracing elements (ties), and others with a similar configuration. For the quickly erected LSTC technology, the elements of the metal frame are described and calculated using rod models.
- Planar – used for two-dimensional elements that have physical homogeneity. These are slabs, decks, walls.
- Spatial – for shells, folds, hanging (cable-stayed) systems and other types of large-span structures, as well as vaults, silo walls and tanks. They are the most difficult to calculate and model.
- There are also hybrid models, for example, (spatial-rod). They are used for overlapping overall free spans.