There are three main types of structural loading: tension, compression, and shear. Tension pulls or stretches material, compression squeezes material, and shear occurs when one part of a component slides over another. All buildings have a substructure below ground, including foundations, and a superstructure above ground. Primary elements of the superstructure are the main supporting, enclosing, and protecting elements like floors and walls that divide space and provide access between floors. Secondary elements are not essential for strength but provide specific functions like completing openings in walls. Finishing elements are the final surfaces of a building like flooring or wall finishes that can be functional or decorative.

1. © City of Glasgow College
Charity Number SC0 36198
Building Loads

2. © City of Glasgow College
Charity Number SC0 36198
Structural loading
There are three main types of stress:
• Tension – pulls or stretches a material
• Compression – squeezes the material
• Shear – when one part of a component slides over another.
Look around you. Can you see any components under stress?

3. All buildings have a
substructure – all of the
structure below ground, up to
and including the damp proof
course.
What is the main part of
a substructure?
Substructure

4. Primary elements are the
main supporting, enclosing
and protecting elements of
the superstructure. They
divide space and provide
floor-to-floor access.
What primary elements can
you name?
Superstructure: primary elements

5. The secondary
elements are not
essential to the
building’s strength or
structure, but provide
a particular function,
such as completing
openings in walls.
What secondary
elements can you
name?
Superstructure: secondary elements

6. Finishing elements
Finishing elements are the
final surfaces of a
building,
which can be functional
or decorative.
What finishing elements
can
you name?