ABSTRACT
Static loads include the basic weight of the building itself and its contents. A building has to be strong enough to resist gravity and hold itself up. It should do so without excessive deflections and movements that might scare the occupants, make the occupants uncomfortable, or make the building difficult to use. For example, a large foundation settlement in a frame building may allow the floors to sag significantly, which then allows wheeled furniture to slowly slide to the low point, causes doors and windows to jam, and makes walking around an uncomfortable experience.
