A structure’s resistance to gravity prevents it from collapsing from under its weight. Engineers consider both the dead load and live load. Engineers design the structure according to these loads.

A dead load is the weight of a structure and building.

On the other hand, a live load is the weight of the building, plus occupants, furniture, and equipment.

The horizontal members include (but are not limited to) joists, beams, and slabs. In wood-framed buildings, joists and beams are used. In concrete and steel buildings, flooring is usually laid over top of concrete slabs.

Vertical structural members carry the weight of the roof. Each floor of a building, right down to the foundation below, includes studs, columns, footings, and concrete walls.

Columns are critical to the structure, as one column’s failure could lead to the building’s collapse.

A building’s foundation is made from reinforced concrete and needs to withstand the gravity load of the entire structure. To help keep a structure stable, it is placed on undisturbed soil.

Engineers can design foundations with systems that are much deeper, reaching down to the bedrock of an area, especially when soil conditions are poor. Deeper foundations are necessary for heavier buildings, or homes that are built on a hill.

Environmental loads are the forces of nature, such as the weight of snow, earthquakes, wind, and constant temperature changes.

• A building can be built using a method called bracing. This uses horizonal beams to stabilize the building and protect it against high winds and earthquakes.
• Heavy snow can cause pressure to a roof structure. To prevent the roof from collapsing, engineers calculate snow loads based on historical averages and design the shape appropriately. Flat roofs will accumulate more snow than a roof that is steep and designed to keep the snow off, but a steeper roof requires stronger materials.
• Wind forces can create challenges, especially for taller buildings. Elements must be included to a building’s structure to manage horizontal winds.
• Vortex tunneling is another issue experienced by tall buildings, which is when wind creates suction on one side of a building, which applies pressure to the other side, and causes the top floor to start to sway. To counteract this, engineers can add weight to the top of the structure.
• Most buildings can withstand thermal changes (temperature changes) by expanding when temperatures rise and contracting when they fall. To absorb this movement, engineers include expansion joists in the structure to prevent cracks and deterioration.

Architect: Taylor and Hinds

Location: Mount William National Park, Tasmania

This is a building in a national park that provides accommodations for staff and walkers. It includes a fire-pit, produce store, kitchen, and dining area. The building uses silver top ash, which is a local wood, to create a shell that collects rainwater on the roof. It is also equipped with solar and diesel power, and gas-generated refrigeration and heating. In 2018, Krakani Lumi opened for storytelling by Indigenous people.

Architect: Douglas Cardinal

Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

Douglas Cardinal is an Indigenous architect who combined Western healthcare and Indigenous practices to create this health centre. It includes a healing room with a traditional medicine wheel, and it is an inclusive space to seek healthcare.

Architect: Studio Indigenous

Location: Columbus, Indiana

Wiikiaami is a welded steel wigwam based on traditional Indigenous structures that blends traditional Indigenous structures with modern technology to connect the past and present. This project was inspired by the Miyaamia people, who are native to Indiana.

An architect carefully listens to clients (individual people building homes, or companies and corporations) to build their dream structure. Typically, they use sketches, modelling software, and computer design programs to develop building plans and blueprints that will guide construction.

Framing carpenters follow blueprints to measure and cut lumber for wooden-framed buildings. They are responsible for following building codes and guidelines when building the skeleton (framing) of the house. Sometimes, they will continue with the building by installing windows, doors, flooring, drywall, etc., but other times, they will hire someone else to do this part of the building.

Masonry workers use bricks, cement, and stones as building materials. They often pour the cement for the basement or lower level of a building and use cement blocks and bricks to build walls, sidewalks, and driveways. Sometimes, customized buildings require masonry workers to build special walkways and patios.

Electricians work closely with building contractors and architects when installing new electrical systems in structures. They read blueprints and determine where outlets and electric breakers should be located, and then install lighting fixtures and controls.

Roofers are responsible for properly installing roofing material to prevent water from seeping into a building and causing any damage or mold. They use rubber, asphalt, slate, and metal to install a variety of rooves, depending on the structure and its design.