load-bearing
Holding things up
Load-bearing describes something that supports weight or structural stress.
A load-bearing wall holds up the structure above it and can't be removed without compromising the building.
The term extends figuratively to anything essential that supports a larger system: She's the load-bearing member of the team.
Structural support member
- columnVertical structural element
- pillarUpright architectural support
- girderMain structural support beam
- trussLoad-bearing beam arrangement
joist · lintel · arch · buttress · rafter · stanchion · post · pier
Secure ground position
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- pilingStructural support column
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
- slabThick flat piece
substructure · basement · groundwork · sill · foundation · caisson
Solid building mixture
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- masonryBuilding with mortared blocks
- timberWood for construction
- brickFired clay building unit
stone · reinforced concrete · engineered wood · rebar · cast iron · structural steel
Capable of elongation
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- shearLateral sliding force
- torsionRotational strain force
- capacityMaximum amount containable
strength · rigidity · stability · stress · deflection · reinforcement · resilience · stiffness
beam
Structural support member
- columnVertical structural element
- pillarUpright architectural support
- girderMain structural support beam
truss · joist · lintel · arch · buttress · rafter · stanchion · post · pier · cantilever
footing
Secure ground position
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- pilingStructural support column
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
slab · substructure · basement · groundwork · sill · foundation · caisson
concrete
Solid building mixture
brick · stone · reinforced concrete · engineered wood · rebar · cast iron · structural steel
tensile
Capable of elongation
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- shearLateral sliding force
- torsionRotational strain force
capacity · strength · rigidity · stability · stress · deflection · reinforcement · resilience · stiffness · safety factor
wall
Vertical enclosing structure
shearwall · frame · skeleton · cage · envelope · curtain wall · infill · retrofit
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- Building Adjectivesangular, arched, columned, domed, vaulted
- structural conditionsintact, damaged, compromised, sound, unsound
- structureshouse, bridge, buildings, dome, building
- columnspillar, column, pillars, shaft, shafts
- Construction Lingostud, studs, drywall, sheetrock, framing
load-bearingnonbearing
Not supporting weight above
decorative · curtain wall · ornamental · cosmetic · infill
load-bearingnon-essential
Not strictly needed
removable · dispensable · superficial · optional · superfluous
bear, load, burden, bearing, loads, overbearing, bearable, unbearable, bearings