Introduction to Load Takedown
2025-10-01
Introduction to Load Takedown
Before diving into worked examples or detailed calculations, it helps to step back and ask: what exactly is load takedown, and why do engineers use it?
What is load takedown?
Load takedown is the process of tracing how gravity loads move through a structure — from roof and floors, into beams or walls, and finally into the foundations. This can be done to calculate loads to any level in a struture but is typical done to complete foundation load calculations.
Think of it as following the chain of responsibility:
- Floors → Beams
- Beams → Columns/Walls
- Columns/Walls → Foundations
- Foundations → Soil
Loads move down through tributary areas until they reach the foundations.Why does it matter?
- Quick checks → sanity-check your design before building a full analysis model.
- Foundation sizing → estimate whether pad, strip, or piled foundations are likely.
- Communication → simple sketches make it easier to explain design intent.
Even in the age of FEM and powerful software, being able to sketch tributary areas and do a quick takedown by hand is a core skill for every structural engineer.
What’s next?
If you want to see how this works in practice, check out:
Or, if you’re tired of repeating the same sketches and calculations, try our lightweight web app:
LoadTakedown app — sketch on PDFs and get instant tributary loads.Load takedown is the starting point of every foundation design. Keep it simple, keep it consistent, and always know where your loads are going.