Many structural forces are placed on a building over its intended life. Natural or environmental forces, as well as man-made loads, are placed on the building. There are basic design parameters outlined in the code for the design of a structure. These design parameters provide a minimum standard to ensure that the building withstands the forces applied to it. The first part of this course discusses how the International Building Code (IBC)® regulates the structural design of the building to ensure that it remains stable and does not collapse during construction and as long as the building is used. It also discusses the basic premise of the way buildings are designed to resist the loads applied to them. All kinds of materials are used in the construction of a building. The second part of this course separates these materials into two categories: structural and nonstructural. Structural materials are those that are used to construct the building and serve as the skeleton of the structure. Nonstructural materials are typically used to cover or protect that skeleton.
