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Structural Terms Defined
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beam
A horizontal structural element. Usually made of wood or steel in a house.
column
A vertical structural element. Usually supporting beams and usually made of wood, steel or concrete in a house.
foundation
The bottom portion of the structure that distributes the load to the ground below. Usually made of concrete in a house.
load
The term used to describe what the structure is supposed to support or resist. This can be vertical in terms of supporting the weight of something or horizontal when wind or earthquakes are considered.
joist
Any of a number of smaller beams, usually evenly spaced and parallel, for supporting floors, ceilings, or the like.
Rafter
Similar to a joist, however these support roofs and are usually sloped.
stud
A series of small columns spaced out to make a wall.
deflection
Refers to a structural member bending