HOME BUILDER’S GUIDE TO COASTAL CONSTRUCTION FEMA 499/August 2005Technical Fact Sheet No. 10Load PathsFS No. 10 – Load paths Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction 08/05Page 1 of 2Purpose: To illustrate the concept of load paths and highlight important connections in a wind uplift load path.
Key Issues• Loads acting on a building follow many paths through the building and must eventually be resisted by the 
ground, or the building will fail.
• Loads accumulate as they are routed through key connections in a building.
• Member connections are usually the weak link in a load path.
• Failed or missed connections cause loads to be rerouted through unintended load paths. 
Vertical load path from roof to ground on a platform-and-
pile-construction building. Note: Load paths will vary 
depending on construction type and design. Adjacent framing 
members will receive more load if a connection fails.

If a connection fails, an alternative load path will form. If the members and connections in the new load path 
have inadequate resistance, progressive failure can occur. Loads must be routed around openings, such as 
windows and doors. Accumulated loads on headers are transferred to the studs on the sides of the opening. 
Load path through a pile connection. 
Load path around a window opening. 
Load paths can be complex through a 
connection. It is important that each 
link within the connection be strong 
enough to transfer the full design load. 
The detail at left shows a typical floor-
to-pile connection. Uplift loads are 
transferred through the joint in the 
following order. 
1 
from upper story to strap 
2 from strap to floor beam 
3 from floor beam to bolts 
4 from bolts to pile 
5 from pile to ground 
FS No. 10 – Load paths Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction 08/05 Page 2 of 2