What is the Slab Structural Load Path?
The load path refers to the route by which applied loads are transferred through various structural elements and ultimately to the ground. In the case of a suspended slab, loads are first carried by the slab itself and then transferred to supporting elements such as beams, columns, or walls, which in turn transfer the forces down to the foundation and the ground.
Understanding the slab’s structural load path involves recognizing different types of structural behavior, such as bending, shear, and strut-and-tie mechanisms, as well as different load distribution directions, like one-way and two-way action.
In this course, we will break down both the types of structural actions and the ways loads flow through slab systems—using real project examples to highlight key concepts.