Force Transmission

The basic function of force transmission, which is essential to every building structure no matter what its particular usage is, is analysed in this chapter at the level of the single component, not at the one of the load-bearing structure. Hence, the focus of this study are the effects which different loads yield upon a generic planar envelope component, i.e. an exemplary wall, floor, or roof. Since in building practice these kind of building components are in most cases not made from a single seamless material but are composed of a number of individual parts, which are put together following a particular characteristic geometric pattern, the effects of the load upon these constructional arrangements will be analysed, i.e. especially the internal forces which are elicited thereby.