M A S T E R P A G E
Load PathsWorksheet (key)
A G U
/
F E M A
244
S
E I S M I C
S
L E U T H S
4.2b
A. Failing Wall
Observe and explain how the wall fails when its base is shaken rapidly back and forth, simulating the motion of a
building hit by S waves during an earthquake. Tighten all the nuts just enough to allow the joints to move.
Sharply push the base a few centimeters horizontally (right or left).
1. What part of the wall fails first?
The first floor
2. Imagine how the horizontal force you applied to the base travels to the upper parts of the wall. What caused the
first structural failure?
The first floor has to carry all the load to the upper stories. It transfers forces to move
the upper stories.
B. Load Paths with Additional Structural Elements
1. Pick up the two rigid connections, one shear wall (cardboard), one solid diagonal brace, and two pieces of
string. Add structural elements to your wall to provide paths for the horizontal forces, or loads, to travel through
the wall. Study the diagrams below to see how these structural elements provide load paths.
Use arrows to show the load path on each diagram.
