What must loads be transmitted to in a building's structure?

Loads in a building's structure must be transmitted to structural elements. Structural elements encompass a variety of components, such as beams, columns, slabs, and trusses, which are designed to support the loads within a building. These elements work together to carry and distribute various types of loads, including live loads, dead loads, and environmental loads, throughout the structure to ensure stability and safety.

While support systems, foundation systems, and load-bearing walls are important in their own right, they play different roles within the overall framework of the structure. For instance, support systems include arrangements that hold up structural elements, while foundation systems serve to anchor the building to the ground. Load-bearing walls are specific types of structural elements that also transmit loads but are not the only components responsible for doing so. Thus, the correct understanding of load transmission highlights the primary function of structural elements in maintaining the integrity and safety of a building.