There are five
different types of loads which act on a structure: compression, tension, shear, bending and torsion. The forces generated
by these loads are illustrated and described below:
Compression is the load applied to a structural member which results in compaction along the axis. Usually, compression
loads applied to bars and columns lead to shortening. Excessive compression can lead to buckling of the structural member.
Buckling is when the structural member bows out (bends) away from its original axis, often leading to structural failure.
Tension is the
load applied to a structural member which results in extension along the axis. Usually, tension loads applied to structural members (such as bars) lead to stretching.
Shear is a non-axial
force applied laterally to a structural member. Shear normally occurs at supports, such as where a beam rests on a column.
Bending describes the behavior of a structural member subjected to an external load applied perpendicular to the axis of the member. A beam is a structural member subjected to bending. Bending causes
a structural member to deflect from its axis.
Torsion is a racking force in a structural member in which it is twisted along its axis. Winding up a rubber band creates
torsion forces.
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