What does the 'load' in 'load bearing wall' primarily refer to?

In the context of load-bearing walls, the term 'load' primarily refers to external forces acting on the wall. This can include the weight of the roof and upper floors, as well as any other structural components that the wall supports. Load-bearing walls are essential in distributing these forces down to the foundation of the building.

While 'the total building weight' is interconnected with the function of load-bearing walls, it does not accurately capture the specific concept of 'load.' The load includes not just the building's total weight but also dynamic factors like live loads (such as occupants and furniture) and environmental loads (like wind or snow). Because of this, understanding the load as it pertains to external forces offers a clearer picture of the role such walls serve within the structural integrity of a building.

Considering the other concepts: the weight of the wall itself is part of what it supports but not the complete picture of 'load.' Furniture weight, while applying pressure to floors and walls, does not define the primary load bearing function of a wall. Therefore, the focus on external forces gives a more comprehensive understanding of what load-bearing walls are designed to support.